A bum-pinching ghost is among the paranormal spectres to haunt Ayrshire over the years.

A new study shows the county is one of the most haunted places in Scotland.

With over 40 apparent spectral sightings, Ayrshire has creeped its way to 10th place in a spooky study.

Tied with Orkney, with both regions reporting 42 supernatural events, Ayrshire has been ranked 10th place in Scotland and 50th place in the UK as most haunted, in a list compiled by campervan rental platform PaulCamper.

And an invisible cheeky chap is among one of the hauntings to be reported in Ayrshire.

It's claimed that owners of the Castle View boozer in Dundonald called in paranormal investigators after staff reported having their bottoms pinched by an invisible assailant. Disembodied footsteps were also heard on site.

The Paranormal Database goes on to record the otherworldly experiences of Ayrshire's terrifying tales.

According to the database, South Ayrshire holds the highest number of unearthly experiences with 21 reports.

Spooky South Ayrshire reports multiple sightings ranging from the 20th century to reoccurring events today; including the tale of a vengeful mermaid who cursed the mistress Knockdolian Castle leaving the estate without an heir.

And two investigations of witches that led a paranormal investigation to a dead tree in Craigie believed to have been used to hang a witch which cursed the area with her dying breath.

fire and light festival, Alloway, Ayr

One of the most heartbreaking reports comes from Ayr with multiple sightings of black dog roaming the woods. It's thought the dog was killed by its master who mistakenly blamed the pooch for killing a child. It was later discovered that the dog had tried to defend the infant from a wolf.

North Ayrshire reports 12 sightings, seven being in Arran, of sea monsters, UFOs, eerie manifestations and, even a dragon which was said to have been slain by a Dalry blacksmith.

East Ayrshire has also spotted UFOs and one holidaymaker even claimed to have crossed paths with a nine-foot-tall, hairy man with glowing red eyes at Dundonald castle.

While out with her dogs, the bewildered tourist saw a three metre tall man, with red glowing eyes and long grey hair that covered his body. The creature moved away, and the woman thought it better not to pursue.

In top place as most haunted place in Scotland is ethereal Edinburgh, which has 106 total sightings, nine of which were poltergeist sightings and two reports fairies.

Followed by Glasgow in second place with 44 sightings. One of the spookiest spots is said to be Scotland Street School which spooked visitors claim to hear the eerie sounds of children laughing in its chilly halls.

Rank

Area of Scotland

Paranormal occurrences

1

Highland

209

2

Lothian

173

3

Fife

87

4

Aberdeenshire

85

4

Lanarkshire

85

5

Argyll and Bute

84

6

Dumfries and Galloway

78

7

Borders

68

8

Perth and Kinross

57

9

Angus

53

10

Orkney

42

10

Ayrshire

42

11

Outer Hebrides

38

12

Moray

36

13

Shetland

24

14

Stirling

20

15

Inverclyde

12

15

Clackmannanshire

12

16

Renfrewshire

11

17

Dumbartonshire

6

18

Falkirk

5

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