Spectre of the Black Lady hovers over scheme for houses

Mr Tom Robertson, now retired as a self-styled psychic investigator,

has warned of dire consequences if a property developer's plans to part

demolish the B-listed Larkhall viaduct in Lanarkshire and sell land

around it for housing goes ahead.

He said the planned development is in an area frequented by the ghost

of the Black Lady of Broomhill House at Millheugh, near Larkhall, who is

said to have a fearsome reputation.

Mr Robertson, 59, who claims to have been left disabled following an

encounter with the Black Lady in 1977, said: ''Nothing but terror will

come out of this. She is the most evil ghost in Britain.

''I would strongly advise against anyone getting involved in

dismantling this viaduct or buying any property in the area.''

Grangemouth property developer Ian McNeish acquired the viaduct in

1984.

At 170ft, it is the highest in Scotland and second highest in the UK.

It was granted B-listed status in 1985 after a campaign by

conservationists, including the Larkhall Heritage Group, opposed its

demolition.

But Mr McNeish, 37, has applied to Hamilton District Council for

planning permission to remove the metal span from the viaduct, claiming

it is unsafe.

He is planning a housing development on land surrounding the viaduct,

but says this cannot proceed until the metal is removed or made safe.

The haunting tale of the Black Lady is included in a local tourist

board guide, Ghost Stories from the Clyde Valley.

The Black Lady is said to have been an Indian woman who was brought

home to Broomhill House, one of several large houses at Millheugh, by

Captain McNeil, a seafaring gent who had made his fortune in foreign

parts.

Unfortunately, according to the guidebook, she became a social

embarrassment to the captain. One version says she died soon after he

threw her out; another that she was never allowed out and eventually

disappeared.

The guide recalls that so much mystery surrounded the Black Lady that

she became the subject of the first attempt to perform an exorcism live

on television in the 1960s.

An eye-witness told of cameras freezing over in fine weather. The same

witness believes the death of the television director in a car crash

soon after filming ended was more than a strange coincidence.

Mr Robertson, now living in the Borders, said: ''If Mr McNeish is that

keen on dismantling the viaduct, he should take down the stone pillars

as well, and rebuild the wall around the ruins which remain of the Black

Lady's house.''

Mr McNeish said he was not aware of the Black Lady's reputation.

He added: ''What puzzles me is that, while objectors are up in arms

about whether the bridge should be restored, not one of them has put any

money up to try to save it or to tidy it up. It is a complete eyesore. I

feel I have no option but to remove it because, as owner, I am liable

for any problems.''