SPOOKY Inverclyde has been ranked among Scotland's most haunted districts following a series of weird and paranormal occurrences.

A dozen eerie events — recorded in Inverkip, Gourock, Greenock, Port Glasgow and Kilmacolm — have put the area on a map of the 'Most Haunted' parts of the country.

From the discovery of a decaying 'strange sea creature' in Gourock — which featured on primetime TV — to town hall hauntings, Inverclyde has had a host of mysterious manifestations.

They have all been collated on a website called the Paranormal Database, resulting in the district being ranked 15th in Scotland for supernatural spookiness — one place behind historic Stirling.

Hauntings at Duchal Castle, Castle Levan, Gourock's Gamble Halls, Greenock and Port Glasgow town halls, are on the online database.

Also featured is the cryptozoology find by council workers in 1942 of the corpse of a 28ft creature in the Clyde at Gourock whose neck is said to have been as long as it's body.

The story featured on hit 1980s TV series Arthur C. Clarke's Mysterious World — and this particular episode is still available to view to this day on YouTube.

Other items highlighted on the database are the Kempock Stone in Gourock, which was thought to control the weather, the sighting of a 'black leopard' in Greenock's Fairrie Street, a UFO over the town, and a poltergeist.

The data for the 'Most Haunted' map — topped by Edinburgh and Glasgow — was compiled by campervan rental platform PaulCamper, whose UK boss Steven Hagenah said: "Now lockdown restrictions are lifted, many people are keen to get away from home and experience something a bit different.

"These most-haunted places to visit offer exactly that, some excitement after a year that most of us would rather forget."

Steven added: "Soon it will be Halloween and there's no better reason to combine travel with a spooky thrill.

"Hiring a campervan, setting off on a road trip and sleeping overnight in the scariest spot in Scotland is an unforgettable adventure."

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Six unusual Inverclyde occurrences recorded on the Paranormal Database

Lady Montgomery, Castle Levan, Gourock Haunting Manifestation

This woman was killed by her husband after he discovered the heinous ways in which she treated the local peasants.

Small girl at Gamble Halls, Gourock, Haunting Manifestation circa 2011

A phantom young person is said be heard running around the building when it should be empty.

Rotting carcass, River Clyde, Gourock Cryptozoology, summer 1942

The decaying body of a strange creature, with neck as long as the body, was discovered by two local council workers. They estimated the length to be around 28ft. The men were ordered to destroy the corpse by the Royal Navy, who were using the area at the time.

Kempock Stone legend, Gourock

It was once thought that the stone could control the weather; prior to fishing journeys, the fishermen would leave gifts at the base of the rock or walk seven times around it whilst chanting. In 1662 a 'witch' claimed she had managed to raise storms by abusing the power of the stone.

Old Fashioned Man, Greenock Town Hall, Haunting Manifestation, May 2007

Working in the hall one afternoon, two people spotted a man dressed in clothing from around the 1800s enter the kitchen. They followed the figure, but he had vanished. All possible exits were secure. The witnesses checked CCTV footage, but they could only see themselves on the camera. The building is also said to be home to a small boy who fell to his death in the 19th century and can now be observed sitting to the left of the top balcony facing away from the stage.

Elderly Lady, Port Glasgow Town Hall Haunting Manifestation, 21st century

While two men stocked the bar ready for a Christmas party, one of the pair met an elderly lady on the middle landing who informed him that she had 'finished for the night'. A short while later, the man told his colleague about the meeting, who insisted that they were the only people in the building. It was reported that others have also met the woman, who is always happy to talk.

Visit https://paulcamper.co.uk/magazine/the-uks-spookiest-places/ for more.