November 30, 2008
GA: The Edinburgh Vaults
by Harry
Hey, what's the point of having a ghost chasing show on the Travel Channel if, ya know, you never travel to a cool place? Zak, Nick, and Aaron apparently figured that out, and convinced the powers-that-be at the Travel Channel to send them to Scotland to investigate the well known Edinburgh Vaults, a series of tunnels and adjoining rooms found under the city. I say "well known" because the Vaults have been explored on the Most Haunted series and a Google search will return a truckload of links about them. This link is a good orientation to the Vaults' history:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburgh_Vaults
As usual, last night's episode opened with Zak meeting with various local tour guides, historians, and paranormal investigators for background on the Vaults and a tour of them before the dreaded "lockdown." It soon becomes clear "paranormal tourism" involving the Vaults is big business, and a Google search confirms that: there are quite a few people and groups in Edinburgh offering tours of the vaults for money. Zak learns the main nasty ghost in the Vaults is a former slumlord known as "Mr. Boots" because of his heavy footsteps. (Sorry, but to me "Mr. Boots" sounds like the name of a cat in a children's book instead of a scary spectre!) And he also learns about "Jack," the ghost of a mischievous young boy.
Zak gets his daytime orientation tour of the Vaults from Des Brogan, who we were told one was one of those responsible for "re-discovering" the Vaults a couple of decades ago, exploring them, and helping to bring them to public attention. The Vaults are genuinely creepy, much like a system of man-made caverns, and their history is equally creepy, having served as everything from a refuge for criminals and prostitutes to an underground slum for the poor to where body snatchers stored the bodies they took from graves. One odd bit about this tour is that both Des and Zak were using candles instead of electric lights or flashlights. I was initially puzzled by this until Des explained that "Mr. Boots" doesn't like electric lights and "goes berserk" (his words) if they are shined toward where his spirit is in the Vaults.
Naturally, Sir Zak of Buffbiceps can't resist trash-talking to Mr. Boots, so we get to watch the somewhat nonplussed look on Des's face as Zak verbally challenges Mr. Boots's manhood (or should that be spirithood?). We are also told by Des there has been a ghost dog reported in the Vaults. Finally, Nick sees a "glow" or "halo" around Zak as he videos him. We get to see the video, and, sure enough, there is a "glow." But it's around the candles Zak is holding, and it looks exactly like the "flame glows" I've captured (unintentionally) on my digital photos and videos when there is an open flame (like a candle or fireplace) in the area being photographed, and I'd bet my life this is just an artifact of the lens or video processing system instead of the paranormal. But hey! I report; you decide! In addition, Zak says he sees a moving shadow and hears things during the orientation tour by Des, but none of them are captured on video. And Zak and friends have one of their cameras switched off. We are supposed to conclude that is more proof of the paranormal. Well, you're free to believe whatever you want. . . .
After emerging from the Vaults to the streets of Edinburgh, the episode took a weird detour through Grey Friars Cemetery, which we are told is "the most haunted in the world." Zak encounters a local who claims to have been taken to a hospital in an ambulance after an experience with the supernatural in Grey Friars. Zak eventually locates the cemetery, and shouts, "Look at that! What is it??" as he finds paranormal evidence in the spider webs and dark lichens on the various gravestones. After a brief tour, Zak looks into the camera and solemnly intones about the evil you can feel in Grey Friars. I dunno. . . . . . . Grey Friars seemed more rundown and depressing than evil to me.
Thankfully, it soon time from the "Lockdown." A local named Kenny does the honors, and as soon as they're in the Vaults Aaron announces he hears something. Sadly, we at home don't. Zak is packing serious attitude toward Mr. Boots and calls him out, even brandishing a fully lit flashlight into the darkness. Nick says he feels a brush on the head, then Zak says he's getting touched as well. The EMF meters are brought out, and soon they are spiking with each brush. But we have to take their word on it, as we have no way of knowing of Nick and Zak are really feeling anything and the EMF meters are shown in close up, meaning anything (or anyone) could be producing the spikes. We also see what is supposed to be a ball of light. Maybe it is evidence of the paranormal, but it also looks a lot the sort of "balls of light" I can produce in a dark room using the red lens "penlight" I use for reading star charts in the dark. But then, I'm such a cynic. Believe if you want to!
Zak decides to face Mr. Boots alone and goes to the room where his apparition has been most often reported. Nick and Aaron go off to explore the Vaults on their own. All alone, Zak dares Mr. Boots to "talk into the microphone." Sadly, we hear nothing; I was really hoping to have heard a male voice with a 19th century Scottish accent reply, "What the hell is a microphone??" Zak continues his trash-talking and challenges to Mr. Boots, but soon starts feeling ill. Then Zak starts getting cold. Suddenly, Zak—-and we at home!—-hear a scraping or scratching noise. Zak does a good job of appearing suitably frightened by this, stands up, faces the camera, and appears to be developing early stages of hyperventilation as he babbles, "Something is behind me! Something is behind me!!" And, indeed, we can see something behind Zak!! It is something that looks like. . . . . . well, it was pretty obvious to me it was Zak's shadow.
Further down in the Vaults, Aaron and Nick hear Zak's cries. "Is that Zak?", asks Nick. At home, I yelled back at my TV, who else could it be, Mr. Rocket Scientist?!?! Nick and Aaron manage to locate Zak, and soon all of them—-and we at home—-are hearing the "scraping" or "dragging" sound Zak heard earlier. But it's hardly evidence for the paranormal, as a lot of mundane, everyday things could produce such noises. Our trio then investigates a room supposedly used by a cobbler, and catch what they claim is a woman's voice, but it sounds like a non-specific brief burst of high-pitched noise. Nick asks any spirits present, "If I were a pregnant woman, would you hate me?" He gets a knocking saound in response, and Nick and Aaron are able to provoke additional knocks from residents of the ether. Or so we are supposed to believe, as we have no evidence than the word of Zak, Nick, and Aaron that this isn't cheap trickery we're witnessing. Aaron supposedly captures the "cry" of a ghost dog, although to me it again just seems to be a bit of random noise that we're supposed to "creatively interpret."
And, for the finale of this episode, we witness an event that is either 1) compelling evidence for a paranormal event, or 2) an appeal by Zak, Nick, and Aaron to be added to "The Grant List."
Zak, Nick, and Aaron set up static cameras in several areas, including the "White Room" (which apparently was not the inspiration for Cream's 1968 classic hit). This is where the ghost of Jack the boy ghost has been reported, and to lure Jack out Zak leaves a ball (was that a homage to the 2007 GH Halloween special??) and a Teddy bear. Zak leaves, the camera keeps rolling, and later in the night, we see. . . . . .
. . . . . . . the Teddy bear move back, away from the camera, appearing to move about nine inches (assuming the bear is a foot tall) from its original position.
For believers, this will be more proof the paranormal is real and that the Edinburgh Vaults are indeed haunted.
For skeptics, this is more evidence of how easily you can fake movement with magician's wire, especially in the dark. One thing that struck me immediately was the "herky jerky" movement of the Teddy bear, much like the "haunted bedspread" on the Queen Mary or the moving chair at RaceRock lighthouse. When the Teddy bear first moves, it does so abruptly and rapidly—-the way you would expect it to move if suddenly tugged by an attached string. The movement then slows down, just as you would expect if the moving Teddy bear encountered friction from the floor. Finally, the bear started moving more rapidly, as if someone was tugging harder on a strong to overcome the friction with the floor. This is consistent with the movements of objects in the Queen Mary and RaceRock cases, and strongly points to similar techniques being used to produce movement here.
But that is for you to judge. As for me, Teddy bears are a universal symbol of childhood innocence and purity and I strenuously object to their use in questionable evidence of the paranormal. If I ever meet up with Zak, Nick, and/or Aaron, they are going to have some real explaining to do to me!
In all, this was the weakest episode of GA to date. The "evidence" was the sort of bunk and hooey normally associated with Most Haunted, and none of the trio seemed to have their "A" game working. While previous episodes were, to put it politely, factually challenged in many respects, they were at least fast-paced and entertaining. This one had too much filler—-I'm still trying to figure out the point of the diversion to Grey Friars. for example—-and the energy level of Zak, Nick, and Aaron seemed down (maybe they were still feeling the effects of a trans-Atlantic flight?). I can only give this episode a grade of C, and that's mainly because I'm in a generous mood.
Filed under Ghost Adventures, Posts by Harry
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Comments on GA: The Edinburgh Vaults »
Hal @ 1:58 pm
Mr. Logisti: thanks for your earlier response to my query re: dealing with pitch-black darkness with the unaided eye. Your explanation makes sense and applies well to "above ground" investigations. However, when you reminded me that pitch dark conditions definitely exist deep in caves (which I already knew from my own spelunking adventures) you didn't offer an explanation on how GH or GA deals with underground spaces, even manmade (like those vaults in Scotland), where pitch-black conditions can also exist like you find in natural caverns. And, in those vaults on GA, they still seemed to know exactly where to look at each other when conversing.
Wes @ 2:59 pm
hmmm. Thing I noticed was the acknowledged dripping water, and we can assume falling, crumbling bricks and mortar, that could account for many of the slight noises we heard and the sensation of someone brushing against Nick's hair … and we know the vaults are underneath occupied buildings and a busy street — can anyone say "noise contamination"? What we're left with is the teddy bear that moves toward the darkest corner, where a wire would be impossible to see, and, as Harry points out, moves with the herky-jerky-ness of something being tugged on …
Dr. Peter Venkman @ 3:09 pm
I think the teddy bear is very symbolic, since the persona that Zak presents seems very much at times like that of a kiddie show host. I'd really like to watch the show completely, but he just grates on me, I can only take so much at a time.
If they had Barry from GHI as host it would be very entertaining.
The entire "locking them in" bit negates any thought of this being any kind of serious investigation, but it is fun to watch.
CrowTRobot @ 3:14 pm
EVPs: Didn't get the first one. The second one did sound like a whimpering dog, a bit, but perhaps only because we were told what it was.
The teddy bear: Interesting. Sure, it could be faked; can't everything? Still, interesting.
The scraping/dragging sound: At first, I thought it could be thunder (wasn't it raining that night?), but reportedly it lasted 6 minutes. While the sound could be attributed to various non-paranormal events, I think the length is interesting.
Also, I wish they'd spend more time on the lock-down. The setup seems to take nearly half the show and, for me anyway, adds little. Just give us the scoop on the paranormal and get to it.
A couple problems I have: a) I usually get suspicious when a show comes up every week with 'evidence' of something we're not even sure exists. b) I mentioned this before, but I really have a problem with them separating. This is the second week they've split up. I just think that's dangerous. So either they're not really alone, they're not really split up – or certainly not as far away as presented, or they're not worried because they don't believe in the paranormal and are just doing a tv show.
EDIT: I still enjoy the show, but I can see how it could become so much same-old-stuff.
Ron @ 5:06 pm
OH NO, its a four,an eight, AHHHH…AHHHH… IT'S A TEN, AHHHHH!!! (AS ZAC SCREAMS FOR MOMMY)
Zac has to be the biggest baby among the group after almost crying because of high emf readings…classic
That had to be the funniest things I have seen or listened
to on any paranormal show in quite some time.
Oubliette @ 6:29 pm
Actually, I felt the first half hour to be very entertaining. The interviews were quite interesting (I love Scottish accents!) and the people were not kidding when they stated their belief that Edinburgh is very haunted, and very intimidating.
The filming of this first half of the show was really done quite well. I noticed with quite a bit of excitement that we were shown the Covenanters' Graveyard, with its very spooky old monuments. One thing that has struck me is that few dare venture into The Black Mausoleum of Bloody George Mackenzie, and this team was no exception. In fact, it is probably very difficult to get permission to go into that terrifying edifice without one of the official tour guides. The fact that people have often come out injured or become very ill while inside points to something going on within that forbidding tomb. I don't know if I could muster up the courage to do so myself (though curiosity would get the better of me, I'm sure).
One interesting point that's been made is that some of this activity has begun quite recently and because of a disturbance of some kind. The Black Mausoleum's unexplainable happenings can be traced to the 1990s and to a particular event. That's something a researcher can sink his/her teeth into!
Once again, we are shown a moving object; i.e. the Teddy Bear. I love Harry's reference to Elvis regarding the stuffed toy. I have to agree; the movement was very jerky and not at all like a person would move the object. It is left up to the viewer whether or not to believe what really happened here.
I think the addition of Greyfriars was done to enhance the haunting nature of the entire city. After all, the vaults themselves are really not much to look at!
One of my unrealized dreams is to do a documentary of the haunts in Edinburgh. As far as the vaults themselves–something is going on there, but just what, no one is sure. When Prof. Wiseman, who has stated he does not believe in hauntings, conducted his experiment several years ago in the vaults, the statistics spoke for themselves and gave even him pause.
Apparently, there may be something in the particular shape of some of the caverns that triggers a psychological response in a lot of people.
If the Edinburgh vaults can cause such a man to shake his head in wonder and admit the presence of something unexplainable, I feel satisfied there is some truth to what has been seen and heard underground in that depressing place.
RandomParadoX @ 8:57 pm
Ghost Adventures has a nice premise, and the less-is-more is a good thing in my opinion…. but instead of the orchestratal cues we get on Ghost Hunters covering up whatever it is TAPS is hearing, we have three little girls screaming their heads off at every little thing. That alone makes it really unwatchable….those guys need some ritlin before being locked down….
About the Teddybear: (If the video wasn't doctored)… If I remember correctly, the bear moved away from both the camera and entrance to the room, which I think is odd. That would rule out fishing line, unless it was set up with some sort of pulley system. I also find it odd that the ball didn't move. If this was ghost hunters, you know that ball would have moved.
worldharmony @ 9:49 pm
I always find it interesting the way children's objects move in these shows. The objects never seem to move as if manipulated by a child. They are never played with, and interaction with them is always brief. I want to see a ball tossed up into the air and caught several times in a row by a ghost child. I want to see that Teddy Bear crumple in on itself as the ghost child hugs it. C'mon people, get creative!
Oubliette @ 10:01 pm
Hmmm…speaking of children's toys and such, remember the live Waverly Halloween show where the ball was moving right on camera as Grant, if I remember correctly, was kneeling down right next to it?
Seems that ghostly toys and string may have a lot more in common then we know
But you're right, none of these objects move like any person, spirit or whatever would likely handle them. Now if the bear was levitated and looked like it was hugged by an unseen child, now THAT would be evidence.
Larry @ 12:09 pm
First, I like this blog, the information helps me evaluate with an open mind.
I have seen many of GA's episodes, and I must admit I'm not totally convinced that all evidence is authentic. Moments that are dubious: Brick throw, shadow hand and Zak's reactions. Keep in mind, Zak is an actor and he has studied film.
Larry,
http://www.itshaunted.com
Harry @ 12:41 pm
In response to points raised on this thread:
Hal, there are several illumination devices designed to preserve "night vision," such as the low intensity red lens flashlights amateur astronomers used to read star charts and guides during viewing sessions. I'd bet the GA crew used something like these during the Edinburgh investigation; the "orb" they captured on video looks VERY much like the sort of "orb" I can produce in a dark room with one of my red lens "astro flashlights."
Larry, spot on observation about Zak's (and Nick's) background in film production. They have the skills necessary to produce convincing visual illusions. Now that isn't proof they are producing convincing visual illusions and passing them off as evidence of the paranormal. But it does mean that you had better have a fresh battery in your BS detector when evaluating the evidence they present and not take their bona fides as a given.
As for people getting ill or even injured in a reputedly haunted area, my initial response is that is more evidence of psychosomatic than paranormal activity. I am constantly amazed at the ability of people to convince themselves of the reality of something when they have a deep need for it to be true. For example, I once lived in Las Vegas and spent a few nights in the desert near Rachel, NV, at the eastern border of Area 51. And every night there were other visitors intent upon seeing UFOs. Those were fascinating experiences; those people would be yelling, "Look! Did you see that!! That UFO vanished!" and I'd reply, "No, that was a F-16 that shut off its afterburners!" And so it went the entire evening—-"Look! Hovering UFOs over that mountain!" and I'd say "Uh, those are magnesium flares suspended from parachutes"—–one group determined to see UFOs, and poor old me trying to catch a glimpse of new military aircraft that might be undergoing tests, each of us making absolutely to no sense to the other. I think the same thing applies to reportedly haunted locations; if you believe in the paranormal, and want to find paranormal activity in a location, then you will find it, one way or the other.
Larry @ 12:49 pm
What about the "shadow hand"? I was NOT convinced due to overwhelming evidence the shadow was not captured on Aaron or Nick's camera. Also, it's easy to manipulate this type of evidence.
Larry
jack @ 1:48 pm
I can't remember what I was watching, but there was a show on that had people 'locked in' these vaults….and the group that provided the service hoaxed the people who were locked in.
Why can't anyone do one of these shows right?
Oubliette @ 3:57 pm
For anyone interested, here is a link to photos of injuries sustained by visitors from all over the world to the Black Mausoleum (not the vaults). Click on the thumbnails for bigger images:
http://www.thepoltergeist.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=2
Strangely enough, I am starting to consider that perhaps when the mausoleum was broken into and the floor caved in, some kind of toxic gas or other substance may have been released. Given the shape of the structure, it may assure that whatever had been let out is still being retained within its walls. Not just the burns, scratches etc. but people falling sometimes seriously ill (fainting, nausea etc.) could be attributed to high levels of, well, something yet to be determined.
This may also be applicable to the Edinburgh vaults, though not so severely.
The mausoleum is not "on" all the time either. Many weeks can pass with nothing happening. But when it does occur, it is very odd indeed. I thought there might be a psychosomatic component, but then I saw some of these photos and some of them really have gotten me thinking.
Jacqui @ 6:10 pm
Hi all. This is my first post and I do wish it could be more positive. However, this was also the first time I have watched Ghost Adventure. Unfortunately, I found it to be no more credible than Most Haunted. The guys all seemed to be acting from the start and being overly melodramatic at that. I noticed that among the many editors and producers listed at the end of the show, Zak and Nick are listed under Lockdown Editor/Writer and someone named Diane Bonsignore is the Story Producer. Wondering why a reality tv show had "writers" and a "story" producer, I did a little research and learned that this is par for the course in reality tv, that these jobs entail taking the hours of footage and editing the film clips together so that they follow a story line or plot that will be interesting to the viewer. Whereas a fictional series would write and then film, a reality series films and then writes based on what they have. Apparently, it's common practice to arrange the clips in any order to make the story they create, flow. This might help to explain why the crew is overacting. I'm sure the melodrama gives them something easier to work with in creating the story. (My favorite part was when we could all clearly hear Zak calling for Nick and Aaron, and yet Nick looked baffled and in very bad acting style asked, "Is that Zak?") As for the evps and sounds, they were impossible to distinquish and could be explained away by the fact that they were under a city. Why was that possibility not even brought up? And the teddy bear? I'm sure the floor was uneven, and it looked to me that when they pulled the string attached to the bear, the bear hit a rough spot and tipped back instead of going straight sideways. Sadly, there was not one thing that I found credible about this show. And all the overacting and melodrama just got on my nerves. I did like the sights of Edinburgh though and hearing what the locals thought about the vaults.
Stephen @ 2:10 am
As Harry points out, nausea is a common psychosomatic symptom, so it's not too surprising that people might feel it. On the other hand, Wiseman did detect infrasound down there, which can cause nausea, feelings of dread, and hallucinations.
I'm having trouble taking the Ghost Adventures guys seriously, but I'll do my best to suspend my disbelief.
Larry @ 9:15 am
I have to agree, there is some bad acting going on and I don't think they even realize the apparent. The bear looked to obvious!
IMO, it's a TV show and TV is about entertainment. The three may be doing an excellent job at entertaining (Zak's screaming etc); however, I think their attempt to embellish the facts is an exhausting attempt to fool the viewing audience.
Larry,
http://www.itshaunted.com
CrowTRobot @ 10:58 am
Stephan said, "I'm having trouble taking the Ghost Adventures guys seriously, but I'll do my best to suspend my disbelief."
Yea, they are starting to disappoint – and I had hopes. Still, I'll give them a few more episodes. Unfortunatley, around here, I think I'm about the only one left (insert embarrassed smiley here).
jasonvorhees13 @ 6:06 am
Tighten up yer skirts. You guys seem to be going girly on me. This show is no better than GH. These guys are the worst actors I have ever seen. The first time I watched the show I thought I was going to shoot myself. The only difference between GH and this show is that on GH at least you actually see or hear something. This show the guys jump and they leave you wondering if someone passed gas. I never hear anything or see anything. And the orb thing, its DUST. I have never seen anyone get so excited over recording dust. That Zak guy, whats his deal. He acts so big when he is trying to provoke but then runs and screams like a little girl when something "happens". I think Zak and Grant should do a show together. Grant can stage and Zak can have a heart attack. I guess what I am trying to say is this show is destined to plunge much like the GH. I am still waiting for the true skeptics to arise. Why are there so many praises for this show? Tighten up them skirts and lets get down to the true facts of this show. Mr. Boots????????????
CrowTRobot @ 8:32 am
jasonvorhees13 said, "I am still waiting for the true skeptics to arise. Why are there so many praises for this show?"
@ jason: I have to defend my fellow skeptics, here. As I've already posted, about the only one who HASN'T arisen is me. However, when Stephan, Oubliette, Wes, and others are bailing on them, I have to look hard in the mirror and think, "You dink."