Mackenzie Poltergeist — Disturbed Tomb in Edinburgh Attacks 500 Visitors

The Mackenzie Poltergeist is associated with the Black Mausoleum in Greyfriars Churchyard in Edinburgh, Scotland—the resting place of Sir George Mackenzie, a 17th-century Lord Advocate known as 'Bluidy Mackenzie' for his prosecution of Covenanters. The poltergeist became active in 1999 after a homeless man broke into the tomb.

Since 1999, over 500 reported victims have been physically assaulted during ghost tours of the churchyard. Reports include being punched or pushed with no one nearby, unexplained bruises and scratches appearing on bodies, people being knocked unconscious, and fires starting spontaneously. Several visitors have reported falling ill and developing infections in the days following visits.

Local minister Colin Grant performed an exorcism of the mausoleum in 2000. The activity appeared to pause briefly but resumed. A psychic named Jan-Andrew Henderson attempted a more intensive exorcism and reportedly suffered persistent physical symptoms afterward.

The consistency of physical attacks on independent visitors from around the world has attracted attention from parapsychologists and investigators. Unlike many poltergeist cases, the Mackenzie phenomena are not centered on a specific living individual but appear to emanate from the location itself. Ghost tour operators now include liability waivers warning visitors of the risk of physical harm.