Ghosts Jane

Haunted Edinburgh

Jane of George Street

Jane of George Street is a relatively new ghost, first appearing at around the beginning of the twentieth century. Jane's story was popularised by Elliot O'Donnell when she included it in her 1911 book Scottish Ghost Stories.

Jane appears as a young lady in 19th century clothing including a high collared dark blue coat, a plumed hat and white gloves. She has pale yellow hair with white eyebrows and eyelashes.

Jane haunts Geoge Street, rarely speaking except to state her name.

According to O'Donnell, Jane is in fact the ghost of Jane Vernelt. This young lady ran a successful costumier business based in George Street towards the end of the 19th century. In 1892 she was persuaded to sell up the shop.

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 returned to George Street demanding to be allowed to have the shop back. Her ravings grew worse and she was eventually restrained (presumably institutionalised) until she died shortly afterwards.

One unusual feature of this ghost is that the hauntings began shortly before Jane Vernelt died. It is presumed by some that with her physical body restrained the force of her disturbed will was enough to create a ghostly projection.

The ghost of Jane of George Street has rarely been seen in recent years.