The Edinburgh Fortean Society one-day conference

On Saturday the 13th of July we’re holding a one-day Fortean conference at St. John’s Church at the junction of Princes Street and Lothian Road.

It will run from 1130 to 1800 and then reconvene in a private vault in the Banshee Labyrinth from 1900 on.

Tickets are a very reasonable £12.50 each for the whole day and are available from Gordon or online at WeGotTickets (booking fee applies).

Jan Bondeson : Talking Dogs of Germany

In the early 20th century, the ‘New Animal Psychology’ movement in Germany thought that dogs possessed near-human intelligence, if trained to communicate. Rolf, the most famous of these super-intelligent dogs, tapped out messages on a board, solved complicated mathematical problems, and speculated about philosophy. The Nazi regime was proud of the country’s educated dogs and tried to find ways to make use of them in the war effort. 

Richard Freeman : Death By Cryptid

I have hunted cryptids in the four corners of the earth but have never feared them. I’ve been stalked by tigers, attacked by cobras, caught in a tornado and fallen off a cliff but i’ve never felt threatened by the creatures i was pursuing. However there are rare cases were humans have allegedly been killed, sometimes eaten and i one case perhaps something worse by monsters. Giant snakes, aquatic dragons, mystery maulers, monster squid and relic hominins have all had humans on the menu. 

Alison Rutter : Unearthing the Earth Hounds

A mysterious creature is said to haunt the graveyards of Banffshire. Is it really possible that an undiscovered animal lives there and does it really dig into coffins and eat the bodies? Alison Rutter investigates. 

Innes Smith : Paranormal Investigating: What’s the F****** Point?

Paranormal Investigating is not Parapsychology – and is rarely held to the same high standards of scrutiny and peer review. But it doesn’t mean that there shouldn’t be an effort to gather the best evidence in the most scientific manner. Innes Smith, an investigator with the Scottish Society for Psychical Research, talks about the challenges he has faced over the past two decades and when considering the evidence ~ What’s the Fortean point?

Caroline Watt : From Seance to Science: The Work of the Koestler Parapsychology Unit

Join Professor Caroline Watt, holder of the UK’s only Chair for parapsychological research, for a whistlestop tour of the highs and lows of more than three decades of research into paranormal claims. From the Indian Rope Trick, to seemingly prophetic dreams, to controlled laboratory research examining whether people have telepathic ability, discover the challenges and unexpected scientific rewards of investigating the impossible. 

Richard Wiseman : Magic, mystery and mayhem

Psychologist Professor Richard Wiseman has dedicated his life to investigating matters paranormal. In this vaguely interesting talk he will reflect on some of his most memorable moments and explore how they have furthered our understanding of the seemingly impossible. Free packet of peanuts for the best question.