Ghosts spook hostel staff

The Press and Journal of North Scotland reports on how managers can't find people willing to work at a haunted castle.

The ghosts of Carbisdale Castle help to attract hundreds of visitors to the former home of the Duchess of Sutherland - but it is feared they may be having an adverse effect on potential staff.

Scottish Youth Hostels Association (SYHA) is having difficulty encouraging people to apply for the post of cook at the picturesque castle at Invershin, between Lairg and Bonar Bridge in Sutherland, which was bequeathed to the association in 1945 and is considered to be one of its flagships.

The post has been vacant since the end of last season. It has been advertised in the local press and the job centre since mid February, but without success.

Relief manager Stuart Dobson, 34, yesterday said he had yet to meet any of the castle's ghosts.

"I do believe in ghosts. I've come across one in the past, but not here yet. They don't worry me. I've never known a ghost to hurt anybody, so it's not a problem," he said.

Mr Dobson could not understand why they had so far been unable to fill the chef's post at the 189-bed hostel.

"It's a lovely place to work. It's just a fantastic location to be in. I suppose it is possible that it could be something to do with the ghosts," he said.

The hauntings seem to center around Room 218, a former nursery now dubbed "The Spook Room." One of the ghosts is known as "The Lady in White."