Glasgow University is one of the oldest universities in the world. So it comes as no surprise that the buildings and surrounds have long-been associated with ghost tales and haunted sightings.
The mysterious apparition of the ‘Grey Lady’ is one such story detailed in book Uncanny Clydeside from Glasgow author Mandy Collins.
The Grey Lady has been seen in several places including Pearce Lodge, the Gilbert Scott Building quadrangles, Undercroft, and the Lion and Unicorn staircase. But the most unusual thing about this story is the descriptions of the ghost differ.
Some people have noted the woman in a grey Victorian coat, with a cape round her shoulders, or a girl in grey clothing from the 1920s to 1940s, to a girl wearing a grey trench and shoes.
And although the origins of the ghost are vague, she has been sighted by several students and staff over the years.
Writing in her book, Ms Collins said: “There has been speculation that she may be the ghost of a female student who died in the early 20th century – that however, doesn't account for the apparition in Victorian garb, or indeed the little old lady in grey encountered by the porter in 1989. Such is the nature of ghost sightings.
“The Grey Lady has been sighted by several members of University staff over the years, people, as one source put it “from all walks of life”.
“One former student described being told on a freshers tour that the ghost haunted the quadrangles.
“The most active time for the ghost seems to be between 11pm and 5 am, when she has kept security on their toes. The middle of the night isn't when you would expect to see students on campus, not even ones pulling all-night study sessions.
"One guard described how the Grey Lady had been seen in the same place by several of his colleagues. Of her manifestations, he said that she just suddenly appears as guards walk around the quadrangles then vanishes, but can actually be seen standing there."
The full details of the haunted sightings make up only part of Uncanny Clydeside, which also includes story on poltergeists, body snatchers and the spooky legends of Glasgow.
It is one of the first novels to be published from company BeulAithris publishing, which is housed in Govan in the converted cells of a former police station.
Ms Collins has always been interested in paranormal activity.
She told Glasgow Live: "I've been writing and blogging about ghosts and forklore for about five years and the book is basically everything I pulled together over the years with some additional research.
"When I done my dissertation I found out Glasgow University had a few ghost stories, so I spoke to some security guards.
"There's also another story in the book about a famous American haunting on the RMS Queen Mary which was actually built on the Clyde. People on board have heard banging and knocking from the cabins on board. "
The book also discusses the witches of Paisley and Pollok, ghosts on the railway and the Barlanock poltergeist.
