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Ammon News - Monstrous 30ft ghosts and clashing spirit armies are just some of the terrifying phantoms haunting landmarks across Scotland, according to a paranormal investigator.

John West, 54, has toured the country to compile a catalogue of chilling experiences for his new book, Britain's Haunted Heritage.

In the tome he writes of mountain beasts, a fleet of phantom Viking longships and the spirit armies from each side of the English Civil War battling even after death.

The folklore expert has compiled two books on ghosts after visiting Edinburgh and its spooky surrounds.

He said Scotland is particularly rife with the supernatural and spectres, calling it the "most-haunted part of the UK", due to its history of war and plagues.

John told The Sun : “Scotland is a country steeped in history. It’s endured invasion, war and plagues.

"It’s no wonder it must be the most-haunted part of the UK.

"I believe Celts are much more in tune with the paranormal. But even now, there are places which make my blood run cold.

“The atmosphere becomes oppressive in these places and you just need to get out of there. Scotland has them in abundance.”

The folklore expert revealed one particularly blood-curdling sighting is of a 30ft "grey man" which is said to haunt the hills of Ben Macdui in the Cairngorms.

Reports about the humanoid monster go back 100 years, with climbers saying they were terrorised by the monster.

Another story involves the ghost of a wizard stalking the grounds of a medieval building in Edinburgh.

John also wrote of the chilling case of Major Thomas Weir and his sister Jane- who were both accused of witchcraft before being executed in 1670.

But a part of their home is still standing in the city - and visitors claim to hear laughter and chanting ringing out from its rooms.

John, who says he's been interested in haunted sights since he was a boy, has been ghost hunting for 40 years.

He said he became fascinated by the paranormal realm after sneaking away to read his mum's books of ghost stories.

John would be "transfixed" by the phantoms on the covers, he added.

The ghost hunter, who lives in London, says that rural communities and Scottish islands are just as haunted as the big cities like Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow.

He says Iona - which is situated in the Outer Hebrides - is haunted by a fleet of ghostly Viking longships.

Meanwhile, spectral armies have clashed at the Pass of Killiekrankie in Perthshire, John says.

Earlier today, it emerged that a hotel dubbed the UK's most haunted terrified the workmen tasked with its demolition after thinking they were trapped in rooms by unseen spirits.

The former Birkdale Palace Hotel was once the talk of the town in Southport, attracting the likes of A-listers such as Frank Sinatra and Peter Sellers.

The Hungarian Football Team, one of the best sides around at the time, called it home during the 1966 World Cup before losing in the quarter finals to the USSR.

Known for its luxurious reputation, the 1,000 room hotel had a dark history, Liverpool Echo reported.

Its architect was said to have taken his own life when it was built in the 1880s facing inland, rather than having its grand façade facing out to sea.

In 1961 night porter Alan Wills was found guilty of murder of six-year-old Amanda Graham, whose body was found under a bed in room 13.

*MIRROR