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The Area surrounding the House of Binns is not only beautiful, picturesque, but oddly tranquil. This is Ironic as I have always felt an undercurrent of something sinister, not just the with house and its grounds but the whole area down to the coastal region of Blackness Castle, which it overlooks then west towards Hopetoun House, like a mythical triangle. If you have read a previous blog about Blackness, you will understand my feelings and thoughts on the negative energy surrounding that place. What secrets have been hidden here over the centuries?
Perhaps this negativity was why I have avoided visiting the House over the years but for some reason on a lovely hot sunny day I found myself venturing through the gates of the estate with my daughter, Gillian, for a visit. The car park was busy as were the nearby occupied picnic tables, which was good as this bustling environment dispelled any negative thoughts, and I mentally decided it would be a lovely place to revisit, to sit, chill and read or draw.
We were a bit disappointed to find that the house at this time was closed for renovation, so we decided to have a quick wander around the grounds, then have a seat and enjoy the usually scarce sun for a while. As this was only meant to be a stroll and not an enchanted trail, I was not really prepared for anything else. I did not have my trusted notebook with me (to be honest I have about ten notebooks) plus, I was only wearing sandals (which is semi-important later in the blog). We were in the middle of taking tourist type pictures when we, well my daughter noticed the wooded area. Let’s have a look she said, I was unenthusiastically looking down at my sandals, do we have to? “Yes, come on she said and before I could say anymore, she trotted, like a Gazelle, up the uneven woodland type steps and disappeared ahead.
Now, I must make it clear that at this point I had no knowledge of the history of the house and its lands but as soon as I stood on the first step, I had a feeling of trepidation. In my head I initially passed it off as being unfit and not wanting to tackle what seemed to me mountainous steps. To be honest there were only about five. However, as I progressed upwards, I soon realised that it was more than that and unfortunately that horrible familiar feeling of negative energy engulfed me. I can only describe the sensation as feeling like the world is moving in slow motion and wading through mud. I shouted to my daughter that I didn’t want to continue but she only laughed, rolled her eyes as per usual and carried on walking.
Suddenly she stopped and froze on the spot, I was a good 12 feet away and it seemed as though she was going to fall over the side (she would probably would have only had a few cuts as wasn’t that steep), I was still feeling unsettled when I caught up to her. She said that she had suddenly felt dizzy and as though she was being pushed over. I nearly started to laugh and say I told you so but didn’t. We decided to get out of the wooded area at that point but before we walked away, I took a picture of the path ahead of us.
a couple behind, one of which is above
See the difference?
I also took a couple of videos (the videos are on our Facebook page). I find that the camera can pick things up we can’t see with our naked eyes and it wasn’t till much later, when I had arrived home, that I saw the images that the videos had captured, similar to that fuzzy slow motion feeling I had felt .One thing that was even more strange on the video’s it looks like it was windy but there was no wind that day.
As we emerged free from that claustrophobic feeling into a beautiful warm, sheep-filled landscape with views over the Firth of Forth, we were glad to be leaving that sulking entity behind. I need to add some caution and a warning at this juncture. I have enough experience not to put myself in danger. I know a lot of people think that Ghost Hunting is a bit of fun and it can be but as a Medium, Empath and Psychic I also know when to back off. What we picked up was more than just negative energy, it was a strong presence and in the past that has caused me to be ill with a severe headache and nausea which is why I did not try to communicate.
Ahead of us we could see a tower (appropriately called Binns Tower), so we decided to walk towards it navigating the free roaming sheep, who barely glanced at us thankfully. After that little visit, we decided there was no way we were going back through the wood, so we had a stroll down quite a steep hill following a path which we hoped would lead us back to the car park, not so, this stroll turned into a long, long, long, never-ending walk and over an hour and half and about 3 miles later, with bleeding feet I slumped beside some building ruins not far from the actual estate entrance. I gave up in a dramatic fashion. Sandals, I realise, are only appropriate for short strolls. (so be warned you need appropriate footwear if you are going for a walk in that area) Gillian saved me though, leaving me in my pain she went to fetch the car. I would have liked to explore the ruins, but I was done in, another day though.
I did re -visit the House of Binns again on my own when the house re opened. This time I had booked a tour but had no plans to stroll around the grounds. I would highly recommend a visit, we all got offered a cup of tea or coffee and shortbread at the start of the tour which was longer than I expected but tour guide was great and gave us a lot of information about the history of the Dalyell family, who had lived there. Did I feel a presence within the house? Absolutely, more than one especially in the kitchen and entrance areas but I was barely tuning in as I was in the company of other tourists.
Research after first visit: There may have been a Pictish Fort near the tower and the whole area is thought to have been inhabited since prehistoric times, which would explain my overall negative energy. The Manor House has been in situ since 1478, giving it a rich history of occupants over the years. This would again explain the strong energy field. One of the main points of notoriety was General Tam Dalyell (1615-1685), who was said to have danced with the Devil, but this was probably associated with his overall character of a warmonger which earned the nickname of ‘Bluidy Tam’ after tales of extreme cruelty by him against those he defeated in war or took prisoner. Did I feel his presence. Yes, in the house entrance area. There have been rumors that his spirit has been seen in the grounds of the House. Is that who I felt in the wooded area? I’m not sure but something grave has occurred there for sure, however given the age of the site that wouldn’t be surprising. I won’t give much more of a history lesson here as you may want to explore or research the area for yourself.
Psychics- Enchantedtrailseekers 