The Rerrick Parish Poltergeist (Mackie Poltergeist)

The Rerrick Parish Poltergeist (also called the Mackie Poltergeist) terrorized a Scottish family in 1695. It’s one of the best-documented early poltergeist cases, investigated by ministers who recorded their findings.

The Family

According to historical records:

Andrew Mackie and his family lived in a stone farmhouse in Rerrick Parish:

• Activity began in February 1695
• The phenomena lasted several months
• Multiple witnesses including clergy documented events

Phenomena

The disturbances included:

• Stones thrown by invisible hands
• Fires starting spontaneously
• Household items flying
• Animals disturbed
• Family members attacked
• A voice speaking (later in the case)

The Investigation

Local ministers investigated:

• Reverend Alexander Telfair was the primary investigator
• Multiple clergymen witnessed events
• They attempted exorcism
• Their accounts were published

Key Events

Stone Throwing: Stones flew from nowhere, striking family members but rarely causing injury.

The Fire: The entity started fires throughout the house and barn.

Physical Attacks: Family members were dragged, beaten, and had items torn from their hands.

The Voice: Late in the haunting, a voice spoke, claiming to be sent from Hell to torment the family.

The Publication

Reverend Telfair published his account:

• “A True Relation of an Apparition” (1696)
• Detailed documentation of events
• Eyewitness testimonies included
• Considered a reliable primary source

Theories at the Time

Contemporary explanations included:

• Demonic possession
• Witchcraft
• Divine punishment
• A neighboring family’s curse

The End

The poltergeist activity ceased:

• After several months
• Following various religious interventions
• The family eventually had peace
• The case became part of Scottish folklore

Modern Analysis

Contemporary researchers note:

• The documentation is unusually thorough for the era
• Multiple independent witnesses
• Classic poltergeist patterns
• No clear evidence of fraud

Significance

The Mackie Poltergeist is important because:

• One of the earliest thoroughly documented cases
• Investigated by educated, skeptical observers
• Published contemporary accounts survive
• It influenced later poltergeist research

Sources

• Historical accounts from Reverend Alexander Telfair’s documentation
• Scottish folklore collections