Wandering around the cosy interior of Ravenswood House, you might chance upon a bearded figure, wearing an Arran sweater, the arms of which are rolled up to the elbows to reveal an old fashioned long-sleeved vest. You might bid him “good day” or words to that effect and might even be tempted to exchange a few pleasantries. What you might not realise is that you have met one of the two resident ghosts that wander the cosy and little changed interior of this delightful hotel. Ravenswood is also the proud possessor of a fully functional Victorian lavatory, now used as the ladies toilet, the solidness and bulk of which is as impressive as it is fascinating!

It is presumed that he is the ghost of the houses builder and original owner, a seafaring man who erected the property in 1820. Since his cargoes consisted largely of tea and alcohol, for some reason a clause was inserted into the lease that forbade the house to sell either alcohol or tea. Such a ban presented few problems whilst the building remained a family home. But in 1970, the house became a hotel and the new proprietors set about overturning the restrictive clause. The ban on the sale of alcohol was lifted. But the one on tea was not. Thus the current owners, Scott and Cathy Fyfe will happily sell their guests the cup, spoon, water and milk, but the accompanying tea bag is free!

But to return to the ghostly mariner. His roving shade has been encountered by many guests and all have commented on how solid and real he looks. Indeed many of them have not even realised his true nature until they have asked Scott or Cathy who he is and are told that they have been honoured with a sighting of the house’s ghost.

Ravenswood’s other ghostly inhabitant is a spectral nanny who only becomes active when small children come to stay. She has never actually been seen, but babies sleeping in cots have been heard over the monitoring intercoms gurgling and calling “nanny” to some unseen presence. When adults go to investigate they often find the child staring at someone that it can apparently see but which adults cannot. On some occasions laughing babies have even pointed to their feet as if their ghostly supervisor is tickling them there! No-one finds her antics in the least bit frightening and all who have encountered her have commented that it feels as though her sole intention is to watch over children who come to stay and to ensure that no harm befalls them.