Scottish Borders couple offer £50k salary for new nanny at haunted house after five quit in a year because of spooky events
The family say a string of live-in babysitters have fled their home in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, after witnessing furniture moving and glass shattering
A DESPERATE couple are offering a whopping £50k salary for a new nanny at their haunted house - after five quit in a year because of spooky events.
The family say a string of live-in babysitters have fled their home in Jedburgh, Roxburghshire, after witnessing furniture moving and glass shattering.
Strange noises in the night have also forced the parents - who want to remain anonymous - to offer up the bumper pay.
They said: “Five nannies have left the role in the last year, each citing supernatural incidents.”
The successful applicant could net double the average salary to move into the haunted house - but will have to spend most of the week alone in the spooky property.
In an advert posted on the website childcare.co.uk, the couple said: “We have lived in our home for nearly 10 years.
“We were told it was ‘haunted’ when we bought it, but kept our minds open and decided to buy the house regardless.
“Five nannies have left the role in the last year, each citing supernatural incidents as the reason, including strange noises, broken glass and furniture moving.
“We haven’t personally experienced any supernatural happenings, as they have been reported only while we’ve been out of the house, but we’re happy to pay above the asking rate, and feel it’s important to be as up-front as possible to find the right person.”
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The ad also said the candidate must be willing to spend long periods of time alone at the house, adding: “My husband and I are both very busy professionals who are often required to work away and there are occasions, up to four nights per week, when we will both be away and you will be at the property alone in sole charge.”
The family have not received any formal applications for the position despite it being advertised over two weeks ago on May 29.
The couple describe their home as a “historic property with spectacular views” and say duties would include making breakfast, getting the children ready for school, dropping off and picking up from school, helping with homework and getting them ready for bed.
They added: “We are offering a salary of £50,000 gross per annum and 28 days holiday (plus bank holidays) for the right person.
“We are keen to find the perfect long-term nanny, so if you’d like to be considered for this rewarding and exciting position, please do get in touch with us.”
The eerie house is in good company as Jedburgh also has at least two other haunted attractions.
Poltergeist activity and ghostly apparitions are often reported at Jedburgh Castle Jail.
The Victorian jail dates back to 1823 and neighbours a graveyard. Many tormented prisoners are said to have died and stayed there.
Mary Queen of Scots House is also to be haunted by many spirits including Mary herself, who is thought to inhabit the walls.
Mitch McFarlane, who works at the Castle Jail and Museum, said: “I have never seen anything myself but now and again I’ll get a weird feeling when I’m passing some of the cells.
“We hold ghost tours and seonces here all the time and people can stay overnight.
“Lots of people have reported seeing light orbs floating around and have felt different presences - it’s more of a feeling than anything else.
“I’m not surprised to hear of another haunted property in the town - it’s interesting to know.”
Other locals were more stunned to hear of the huge salary being offered than the ghostly goings-on.
One cafe worker said: “They say that lots of places in the town are haunted but I’ve never seen anything happen personally.
“I would say I’m more shocked to hear they are putting up a salary of £50,000 for a nanny than the fact the house is haunted. They must be really desperate to get someone in.
“I used to work as a financial project manager and I never even got that.”
Childcare.co.uk has over 1.5million users and is a platform which allows parents to search for and babysitters, childminders, nannies, nurseries, private tutors and schools. It also allows childcare providers to advertise their services.
Richard Conway, founder and CEO of Childcare.co.uk, said: “When we saw the advert we were stunned. Some of the guys at HQ were sceptical but after talking to the family and their previous employees we realised it was a genuine position.
“We have hundreds of thousands of providers on the site and we’re hoping that one of them will be able to help them. “We’ve had some weird and wonderful families find childcare providers through the site, however I think this is probably the most interesting story we’ve heard.
“The family has assured us that no harm has come to anyone living in the house, however the nanny will have to have a strong disposition.”
Scottish Sun psychic Joan Charles warns family to get their spirits “under control”
By Lisa Boyle
SCOTTISH SUN psychic Joan Charles has warned the family must get their spirits “under control” before hiring a nanny.
The clairvoyant fears money won’t be enough to lure in another staff member after spooky hauntings freaked out five former employees.
Joan said: “I’m wondering what the history of this home is, if previous owners have had anything happen before or if there has been any sort of trigger for some of the things that are going on.
“Things like smashing glasses and furniture moving, I can imagine it’s not a very pleasant experience - it would scare a lot of people.
“The family would have to have to hire the sort of person that understands the spirit world and I don’t think a nanny who is fearful would be able to work there.
“I would like to go along to the hosue to get a sense of whether it’s a mischievous spirit, if perhaps it’s playing in it’s own mind.
“I’d like to know if it’s annoyed by something and if there is any historic information on the house.
“But I think the family should look at getting the spirit under control before hiring anyone for childcare.
“They have to be careful as if adults get scared they could easily pass that fear onto the children.
“I think they need to have someone look at the house first instead of hiring a nanny when the problem is still there.
“They must keep things as normal as possible for the sake of the children.”
DO you know the couple? Or have you been driven out of a house by a ghost? Call us on 0141 420 5200, text 07797 800872 or email scoop@thesun.co.uk