Airth Castle, July 2005

We had a short break at Airth Castle Hotel last year. I knew as soon as we'd booked it it would have a ghost story - no surprise there; every Scottish Castle does.

We were staying in the (heavily converted and unhaunted) stable block. However, one day when we were driving past the castle itself, the door was open, and we could see inside. I joked to my daughter about the 'ghostie' in the Castle. Just shortly after, my mobile, which had been fully charged, went flat. It has never done that before, or since - it's a very reliable model that takes forever to run down.

Supernatural explanation: Paranormal phenomena are often associated with power sources draining for unexplained reasons. Maybe the ghosties don't like having the piss taken.

Rational explanation: Batteries do do funny things. Sheer coincidence. Not like we were actually in the castle!

Conclusion: None. But the only other time my moby has malfunctioned was in a highly haunted situation - Edinburgh's Vaults (future post).