Haunted piano strikes ghostly note in home

Published on Friday 31 October 2008 09:02

A HAUNTED piano which plays itself in the middle of the night is spooking guests and staff at a historic Scottish country home.

The antique 19th century Pleyel piano, once played by Fredric Chopin, is housed in Lennoxlove House, near Haddington.

Visitors, staff and even guests' pet dogs have apparently been left trembling as the "haunted" piano plays by itself during the night.

Legend has it that the piano was given by William Beckford to his daughter Susan, the Duchess of Hamilton, in 1828, and that it is her playing the ghostly tunes.

Ken Buchanan, general manager of Lennoxlove House, said: "It is very strange to be in the house when it is quiet and you hear the piano being played.

"There is no tune being played, it's more the tinkling of the keys, but nonetheless it is a strange experience."