Danderhall ghost hunter tells his stories in new book

A ghost hunter from Danderhall has released his first book, recalling more than a decade of spooky experiences at sites across the country.

Midlothian ghost hunter Jimmy Devlin.

Jimmy Devlin told the Advertiser he used the Covid-19 lockdown and the death in January of his “wingman” – TV spiritual medium Derek Acorah – to finally get his fascinating tales down in writing.

The self published ‘Knock Twice : Real Life Ghost Stories’ has been receiving positive reviews on Amazon since its release earlier this month.

Speaking about this book, Jimmy recalled his local ghost hunts in Midlothian.

The book cover for Knock Twice : Real Life Ghost Stories, by Jimmy Devlin from Danderhall.

He said: “There is a significance of why it’s called Knock Twice as it’s a paranormal phrase, as I say ‘if anyone is there, knock twice’.

“Since Derek’s sudden passing in January, I have lost my wingman and needed to fulfil my promise to write a book about all my ghostly experiences.

“The chapters are from venues from all over the UK, two of which are in Midlothian, one from Edinburgh and there is also, of course, a chapter dedicated to Derek.

“The local ones are the mining museum and Borthwick Castle, although it’s not named in the book. When I published my findings of my investigations there in 2007 I got a bit of a reaction to it.

Jimmy Devlin and Derek Acorah.

“The castle said they had bookings cancelled. They had been kind enough to let me in but they said it had a detrimental affect.

“All the chapters are different, from my investigations up and down the country. Some of the stuff was physical, some audible, some both. Items moving, disembodied voices.

“The whole book is a collection of all the different types of experiences in all different types of venues.”

Jimmy has been pleased with the reaction to his book.

He added: “I decided now was the time. The experiences that I have had over the piece have all been when I have been on my own.

“Solo investigations stories are unique and it was always my intention to share them once I had the time and the inclination put it together.

“I couldn’t go out to investigate anymore due to lockdown so I had time to do this.

“Once I started I really got into it and in about eight or nine weeks I had put this book together.

“It’s my first book but I’ve had really positive reviews already. It’s sold well also. It’s been described as a ‘page turner’, people can’t put it down.”

Jimmy added that his fans have wanted a book of his tales for a long time.

He said: “Rather than just rattling out scary stories the book itself is a culmination of scary stories, but I have tried to place the reader in my shoes and let them feel how I felt while alone in the dark.

“Everyone loves a good ghost story, but these are true.

“When I was travelling up and down the country I would tell people about my experiences and they would say’ you should write them down’.

“So it’s just kind of happened, where it goes I don’t know. I would love someone to serialise it on telly, but who knows?”

Jimmy was at Derek Acorah’s side for his last ghost hunt, and still misses the former ‘Most Haunted’ star.

He said: “We had only just done his last event in December and he died three weeks later. It was totally unexpected.

“Derek and I used to work very well together. I really miss him. There is not a day goes by that I don’t think about him.”