St. Andrews Ghost Stories

by William Thomas Linskill

St. Andrews Ghost Stories by William Thomas Linskill! In addition to an introductory poem, titled Ghosts and Phantoms, in this volume you will find the stories The Beckoning Monk, The Hauntings And Mysteries Of Lausdree Castle, A Haunted Manor House And The Duel At St Andrews, The Apparition Of The Prior Of Pittenweem, A True Tale Of The Phantom Coach, The Veiled Nun Of St Leonards, The Monk Of St Rule’s Tower, Related By Captain Chester, The Screaming Skull Of Greyfriars, The Spectre Of The Castle, The Smothered Piper Of The West Cliffs, The Beautiful White Lady Of The Haunted Tower, Concerning More Appearances Of The White Lady, A Spiritualistic Seance, The Apparition Of Sir Rodger De Wanklyn, The Bewitched Ermentrude, A Very Peculiar House

Genres: Short Stories

110 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1900

Reviews

[Lori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't tell if this was supposed to be Linskill recounting conversations with people who claimed to have had paranormal experiences, a fictional work, or a collection of traditional ghost stories arranged to resemble a memoir. Either way, it was all fairly standard Victorian stuff about "white ladies," creepy monks, screaming skulls, haunted towers, and whatnot. If Linskill actually was relating these as true encounters, then he was one severely gullible person.

[Peter Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought my first and only real copy of this book sometime in the early to kid 70s when I was still at Greyfriars RC Primary School.

I don't know which edition it was only that it came in a flimsy but striking pink cover with a memorable black picture of Archbishop Sharp's Phantom Coach snd that I bought it from J&G Inness Shop on the corner of Church Street and South Street in St. Andrews. The original publishers of the book and one of the Town's few remaining traditional shops.

I read it cover to cover, mostly in my bed at night (the only place to read a book like this) over and over til I almost inew it word for word or at least fid, at the time.

I'd Love to read it again, it covered (as far as I can recall) everyone of the Auld Grey Toun's Hauntings in a travelogue style of recounting that felt more like a sightseers guide with spooky bits in it, rather than rhe other way round.

Still, if You can get an original copy ( not the rubbish OCR version doing rhe rounds on most internet sites) it's well worth a read for anyone interested in St. Andrews, especially it's shadier past.

A reprint, since the original stopped printing years and years ago, would be very very welcome.