I cannot say it is a story I have to tell but it is a rather puzzling circumstance I find myself in. In November of 2001 I started to visit Llangollen which I used as a base for work I was doing in the UK. I have been there now 11 times and have stayed in various cottages and the Royal Hotel.
On my first visit I became quite fond of walking along the River Dee and found it quite soothing and somehow spiritual like. Upon my first return home to Canada I began to have dreams of the river, I heard the rushing of the water and the voice of a young woman in my dreams calling me to return. NO, I AM NOT CRAZY, according to my doctor.
These dreams continued and have continued to this day. However, I no longer hear the young woman's voice calling me only in dreams, but at times during my daily routines. The voice is quite sad and almost weepy, and I also hear the rush of the water. Now when I return to Llangollen I can go to the river and feel her presence, at night when I am there I can hear the voice crystal clear above the sounds of the water. Whatever it is, the voice is calling me to return to Wales and to the river.
Now, assuming my doctor is right, and I am sane, what is going on? Was there ever a story relating a young woman at the River Dee in Llangollen. She is dressed in attire from the late 1800s, and is quite pretty with dark flowing hair, and I would say she looks like she is in her late 20s.
My only connection with Wales previously was through my father who was born in Cardiff, but he came to Canada after WWII before I was born.
Can somebody help me with info or suggestions in this matter? 
your comments
Lyndsey Roberts, Liverpool
Does anybody know anything about Scotch Hall cottage? I'm going to stay there for a weekend and I'm rather keen to find out about its history, thanks.
Fri Nov 21 10:33:09 2008
Maren, Montana USA
I stayed there last month as a student in a tour group and just before we arrived, we were told that it was haunted but not as haunted as I soon found out. None of the students ran into anything, but after doing some research when I returned, it is very haunted! One story I found was of a man who died from TB and his sister nursed him in his last days. She said he would just lie down and listen to the sound of the river. That may be the same lady who is communicating with you! But this is just another attempt. I think you should go back and see what this is about. Besides, it's a lovely quaint town. Good luck!
Mon Jul 14 08:04:56 2008
Brenda Lohr, Arizona, US
I stayed one night at The Hand in Llangollen earlier this month. I was with a student tour group, so we were rushed. We were told literally nothing about the hotel, or its surroundings and the associated "myths". However, another adult and I both felt an extremely urgent desire to come back to this place on our own as soon as we can. I can't explain it... We were touring London, Stratford, Wales, Ireland... I didn't feel that way about any other place, and many of the places we saw were equally beautiful and quaint. I've even checked into teaching "abroad" so that I could spend a year there. I'd be interested to know how Lynn Douglas' story turned out.
Mon Jun 23 08:33:50 2008
Sha, Wrexham
My mum who has now passed worked in the Hand Hotel, Llangollen, for a while when she was younger. She told me many stories about the grey lady who was haunting this hotel. She said there had been many sightings of her. The story she told me of this ghost was her lover had left her, she was heartbroken and was waiting for him to return. There used to be a book about it in the hotel and she is buried in the cemetery nearest the hotel. My mum had various encouters there.
Mon Jun 9 07:48:21 2008
Deirdre from California
The River Dee is named for the ancient goddess 'Devah' (Celtic word, from pre-Christian times). There are various tales that surround this river in Wales and the other Rivers Dee in Scotland and in Ireland. As a person with long experience in contacting spirits, may I strongly warn you that this is nothing to be played around with or taken lightly. Contacting spirits is a dangerous business that has foisted many into great depression and kept them in a place of darkness for years, even, in some cases, for their lifetime. By pursuing contact w/ghosts, spirits, & other 'energies' at length, I personally experienced a genuine hell of suicidal ideation, inability to connect with other people, and frighteningly deep depression - which lasted for years. I deeply enjoy the old tales and the beautiful, rich folklore and poetry of the UK and Ireland (as well as from cultures around the globe), but I also know from experience NOT to honor or pursue the spirit of anyone other than God alone. A fact to consider: Since Jesus brought the physical and spiritual together through the ultimate power of Love, the other spiritual powers have been diminished into much lesser roles, because their power is now limited ONLY to what power WE GIVE THEM. I know there are some who will read this and not believe what I'm saying, and may even keep going with their pursuits. I cannot stop them. But I can urge everyone who reads this to learn from the pain that I endured, and save yourselves and your future offspring from the darkness that consumed my own life (when the door is opened to the spirit-world, this energy wants to attach itself to the seeker, establish an affiliation, and take root, and in doing so will continue from one generation to another, until completely rooted out). Thank you for reading and considering all I have said.
Mon Feb 4 09:54:55 2008
Mark, Wrexham
I know a few people that have had strange experiences in the car park of the Bryn Howel. They have felt really scared and the need to get out of there quickly. Has anyone else experienced anything similar?
Mon Jan 7 10:51:06 2008
Deb from Philadelphia, USA
I stayed at the Hand in Nov 2001. While not specific,there was a haunting quality about the area. I stayed on the 2nd floor, at the end of the hall farthest from the stairs. Our window was just above the road & the River Dee lulled me to sleep with its laps and gurgles. It rained the whole time, but I was compelled to explore. I walked through the churchyard next door, down the small road through town, to a souvenir shop and book shop on Bridge St, but there was was something about that river that fascinated me. Overall, this place affected me like no other! I hope to return some day.
Sun Nov 18 16:39:16 2007
Jeanne Wade from Maryland
It is a possiblity that your mind's eye (psychic self) is picking up on this spirit energy.
Fri Aug 17 09:32:23 2007
Kim Swain from Barkhamsted CT
I stayed at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen last month and I had an experience which I have not been able to get out of my mind. I was standing at the door of my room (2nd floor, room # 15) trying to open the door with the key and I sensed that someone was behind me, very close, and trying to move by. I was so sure that someone was there I stepped forward to get out of the way, started to apologise while turning around but found no one there. I have never been more sure about any thing in my life - someone, some presence was there. Thinking about it kept me awake all that night. The next day we left and our tour guide asked our group if we had experienced anything strange. I did not share my experience with her. She told us that the Hand Hotel is haunted by a young women who had died in the 1800s while giving birth. She died in room #14 and she sits at the organ which is directly across from room #15 - exactly the spot where I felt a presence. Has anyone heard of this story or experienced something like this at the Hand Hotel? I'd like to put it to rest but I cannot stop thinking about it.
Mon May 21 11:02:46 2007
Suzanne Barnes from Arizona
I'd be very careful about answering when one's name is called. I grew up in the States in an area with a heavy Welsh & Scottish settlement background, and one superstition there was that if you heard your name called three times and answered on the third calling, you would die. Childish, I know, but something to think about.
Wed Mar 21 08:28:59 2007
Susan Porter Lytham.Lancs
Has the lady who had the visions and heard voices and weeping, heard anything more lately? Any further unusual moments regarding the lady's appearances? I am sure we would all like to hear if anything else happens.
Wed Feb 28 07:59:59 2007
Dave Downes, Horwich
I worked at Llangollen YHA for 2 years. I never saw or heard anything strange in the building but many guests have reported things. The story is that 2 young children died of a contagious disease at the Hall, and to prevent any spread of the disease they were buried in the cellar next to the well. The children had red hair, so apparitions of these and the mother crying for her children have been seen. Additionally, in the 1990s one of rooms in the Staff quarters was exorcised, since then that room has been normal. I was always disappointed that other people could see things, but I never did.
Fri Jan 5 11:04:01 2007
G Young
I am Welsh and have quite an interest in the old tales and myths of my country. I would note in this case that Welsh mythology is ripe with tales of 'fairies' often beautiful and alluring but sometimes quite sinister in their intentions. To me this story of yours reminds me of many of the old myths, especially with the posts about hearing your name being called from the hills in the middle of the night. If I were you I'd buy some books of the old myths of Wales and read up on the tales of these fairies, and don't be too trusting of that which you can't explain.
Wed Nov 22 11:10:27 2006
Nik Bradley - Evesham, Worcestershire
I have stayed at the YHA at Llangollen, and experienced a 'spooky' thing during my stay. One of the mornings, I woke up at roughly 4am and went to the bathroom. The window was open. As I was there, I heard somebody shouting my name out in the mountains. I knew it couldn't be anybody I know because I am not local and everybody I knew were asleep in the YHA. So what was it? I have also heard many stories of an old man sat in the corner in the cafeteria there, who seems to get on well with the children. I spoke to the owner, and he told me that babies and young childen are often affected by something in the particular corner. Something is there, I'd love to know what.
Mon Jul 24 08:39:51 2006
T Binns, England
When I went to Llangollen YHA hostel on a school trip, I stayed in the coach house which was apparently not haunted.
My friends who were staying in the main building started crying because they saw a little girl about 4 sat on a chair near their windowsill. My friend was scared and we couldn't sleep for the rest of our time there, other than that the hostel is brilliant!
Thu Jun 29 16:29:03 2006
Joy from Denbigh
I also have this need to go back to Llangollen, I visited once a little while ago, in the summer, and revisited it at christmas this year, and it was the same feeling that I got, it's like strength that comes, and a calming, it maybe the sound of the rushing water I don't know but I went back because I wasnt frightened, or anything like that, I seem to just relax when I'm near the river and the station that's near the river. I'll be going back there again, and again. My dad was born in Swansea, and I'v moved here from London now, I love Wales, it has a lot of history.
Sun Jan 1 22:26:30 2006
Pamela from Wales
Research the river and the history surrounding it...use your instincts and feelings...trust them. Sit down in a protective circle and perhaps meditate and note down after what came to your mind. Good luck, blessed be.
Thu Oct 13 22:58:34 2005
Lucinda from England
I think following up this feeling is probably not good advice, if you don't know what you are getting into. I think you should get on with your life and stop worrying. Just accept that you have a good soul and a wise soul.
Wed Oct 12 11:16:54 2005
Phil from Llangollen originally
I left Llan when I was 16 but lived on the river (which was also my playground). There used to be dozens of old mill workers' cottages on the river banks, all demolished in the 60s. I can remember more than once the police recovering bodies of drowned people, a lot of suicides. They would end up in a place known locally as 'Whirly' which is a big eddy on the river just below Coed Afon (where we lived in No 13 co-incidentally) both my parents died on the 13th. I always felt as though I was being watched by an unknown presence but never felt afraid.
Wed Aug 10 12:55:06 2005
DEZZA***
Maybe research the river and its happenings, you could find that someone maybe drowned in that same river or died there. Maybe she is calling to you because you are a nice person and feels she can relate to you in some way. Or she may be lonely and is longing for a friend, you should try going there, maybe talk to her at night by the river, and see if she replies. Ask her why she is calling you. You never know! You might see her!
Tue Jul 19 18:56:15 2005
Chris from Llangollen
When you return again take a trip to Plas Newydd. This house was vacated by the ladies of Llangollen who are now buried at a local church. The house and grounds always feel as if they have a prescence, someone watching you? You will never see a local alone there at night.
Wed Jun 29 23:43:41 2005
Rob Jones from Penycae
I live about 5 minutes from Llangollen, I can honestly say I've never experienced anyone/thing contacting me anyhow, that I know of anyway. However there is something special about the river, although all the aura to me seems to be just going up the river, rather than down it. I don't know if anyone else feels this? Lovely place, something certainly magical about it.
Thu Feb 24 23:25:34 2005
Sachin Jadhav from India
Think twice before you action something.
Wed Feb 16 10:27:42 2005
Jodie from Birmingham
You definitely should go back again. I get a feeling you are apprehensive about what might happen but believe me if you are being contacted all that way by a spirit it is something you need to follow up. Try having a cup of mushroom tea to break down your mental barriers. You will find messages will come through a lot clearer.
Sun Jan 9 21:39:15 2005
Anon from England
Don't be scared. Go to the river. I suggest you stay there. I think your soul maybe calling you back to the place where you may have had a previous life. I find if I am day-dreaming or whatever, I eventually get a strange, deep voice coming through but I don't think it's imaginary. I'm completely sane - according to my doctor.
Mon Jan 3 13:31:06 2005
Tammy Usey, Louisiana
It could be your heart that you're hearing telling you that what you really want is to be there always.
Sat Dec 25 04:03:51 2004
C. Doyle from Ireland
I think this woman is trying to tell you something. I used to have a similar situation, until I read a book which turned my world upside down. It's called the Da Vinci code by Dan Brown, and the secrets revealed in it are strange yet believable.
Fri Oct 22 20:11:24 2004
Keira from Maine, USA
I travelled to Llangollen a couple of weeks ago, actually, and my four friends and I stayed in the Hand Hotel next to the River Dee. We felt a very strong presence around the river as well, though we did not see anything. The aura around that river was certainly hair-raising!
Mon Jul 5 00:38:07 2004
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