Jane of George Street
Jane of George Street is a unique ghost. She's the only ghost I'm aware of who began her haunting career before she died!
Jane is a relatively "young" Edinburgh ghost. Her story became widely known after Elliot O'Donnell included it in her classic 1911 book Scottish Ghost Stories.
The Ghost
The ghost of Jane was once seen regularly in the George Street area of Edinburgh, however in recent years sightings have dropped.The apparition reported is of a young lady who walks through the streets wearing 19th century clothing. Judging by her appearance she is in no great distress nor poverty. She wears a dark blue coat along with hat and gloves. Her hair is pale yellow whilst her eyebrows and eyelashes are a distinctive white.
She rarely speaks and when she does it's only to state her name.
Who Was Jane?
According to O'Donnell Jane is in fact the ghost of Jane Vernelt, a 19th century lady who ran a clothing and costume business based in Edinburgh's up-market George Street. The business was successful and Jane was eventually persuaded to sell out in 1892.Some time after she sold the business, Jane regretted doing so. According to the story, she was suffering from mental illness and the change in lifestyle proved too much for her. She wanted "her" shop and her old lifestyle back, but the new owner didn't want to part with it.
She returned to George Street demanding to be allowed the shop back. Her ravings grew worse and she was eventually restrained. She died shortly afterwards.
As I mentioned earlier, one remarkable fact of this case is that Jane's ghost was first seen before Jane Vernelt died. One theory is that whilst her physical body was restrained the force of her disturbed will was enough to create a ghostly projection.
This article initially appeared in different form
on Wyrdology
