Meet the team
Liam Shand : Team Leader
Background:
I have lived in Inverness all my life, and have always had an interest in the history, folklore and the ghost stories of the area. While I do not class myself as spiritually sensitive, I have had a few experiences, which resulted in me wanting to find out more. After discovering the popular television series “Ghost Hunters” in 2009, I decided I liked their approach and wanted to give it a go for myself.
Why I Joined Highland Paranormal:
When plans to join another group fell through in 2010, I formed Highland Paranormal with Anna MacDonald. I wanted to investigate hauntings, document them and try to make sense of them, and pass on what I learned, while also continuing my own journey with the guidance and experience of others in the paranormal field. Another driver for me was helping others get answers for their own hauntings, and it is something that I feel very honoured and proud to do.
What You Bring to the Team:
Along with leadership and a passion for the paranormal, I like to think I bring a level head and an open mind. I always look for a logical explanation for any evidence presented before going down the paranormal route, while also being sensitive to the beliefs of others. It is safe to say I live and breathe Highland Paranormal, and also love sharing my passion for history, folklore, and hauntings by carrying out walks and talks.
Hobbies and Interests:
I love photography, visiting historical sites, and old graveyards. I also love listening to music and collecting vinyl records. I am also a supporter of Inverness Caledonian Thistle Football Club, and a former shinty player.
Other info:
Liam has appeared on television, radio and the press to discuss the paranormal. He also leads a monthly Ghost Walk around Inverness and is in the process of working on his first book.
Lyn Reid : Lead Investigator/Researcher
Lyn is the team's researcher working remotely on cases and collating information for both the team and clients. She is also an experienced investigator and although a believer, she always looks for a logical explanation to any paranormal activity. She also has a keen interest in Ufology.
Lindsay Dunn : Lead Investigator/Medium
Background:
I am originally from Glasgow, but I now live in Inverness (via a childhood in Dingwall).
I have always had spiritual/paranormal experiences since I was a young girl. My earliest paranormal experience was when I was in primary school. I was walking up past Tulloch Castle in Dingwall with my dad and brother. We were going up to the fields behind the castle to go sledging. A couple of people were waving at us from a window as we went up the lane at the side. I was waving back only to be questioned by my dad as to who I was waving at. I explained I was waving at the people in Victorian clothes (I knew what the Victorians wore as I used to dress up for a Victorian day that was held nearby in Strathpeffer). Neither my dad nor my brother could see the people waving.
I really got interested in the paranormal in a bigger way back in 2015 when I started going out on investigations as a paid guest. On my very first investigation, I was picking up loads of activity and getting names, smelling smells, noticing feelings, etc. I continued investigating as a guest for a few years (and still do it with some other teams on the odd occasion).
Why I Joined Highland Paranormal
I have been following the team for several years and I attended some open meetings back when they were held in the Victorian Market in Inverness. I really respected the team and their approach to investigations as there is no fakery and before they consider something paranormal, the team tries to debunk things. When I saw the advert in 2022 looking for new team members, I absolutely jumped at the chance to join the team. I really like working with our team. There are different personalities but we all genuinely like each other and get on. I really enjoy Team investigations, events, and working on private cases.
What You Bring to the Team
I am spiritually sensitive and sit in a spiritual circle in Inverness. I have a huge respect for spirits and love communicating with them in a friendly and open way. I would never provoke spirits or be disrespectful and I think that attracts good spirit communication.
I really enjoy visiting lots of fascinating places with the team and meeting members of the public. One of my favourite things is when sceptics attend our events, and they have a shot of the dousing rods, and they move. Some of the facial expressions I have seen are hilarious!
I am naturally a bit silly, so I like to think I bring a bit of humour to the team. I do however also know when to be quiet and serious as required.
Hobbies and Interests
I really enjoy pub quizzing, and I can be found quizzing a couple of times a week. I also like to go to see different genres of shows at the Theatre. I also enjoy live music and have been known to have a go on the karaoke – despite not being much of a singer!
Kyra Innes : Lead Investigator/Medium
Background:
I’m from a wee village called Aberlour, best known for shortbread and whisky production so not a bad place to be!
I think I’ve always believed in spirits, being spiritually sensitive, it’s always felt natural to pick up on their presence.
My first memorable paranormal encounter was when I was about nine years old, at Dunrobin Castle. Whilst taking a walk in a quiet hallway (outside the dressing room to be exact) someone grabbed my shoulder pretty hard, I was in complete shock. Even to this day, the place has a serious effect on me- I’d love to investigate it with the team!
I tend to pick up on things in a location (sometimes if I’m speaking to someone one to one too) if a there’s a spiritual presence such as gender, age range, sometimes names and clothing.
Why I Joined Highland Paranormal
I have always had a keen interest in the paranormal and, exploring new places with interesting history. Last year I attended a Highland Paranormal investigation and I knew right away I wanted to really get into it and develop my spiritual connection.
What you bring to the team:
I’m new to the group so, I’m really looking forward to getting to as many locations as possible and working with the team. Their approach to carrying out investigations and working logically to distinguish between the explainable and the unexplainable is one of the main reasons why I wanted to join- knowing that when you pick up on something, it’s something really good!
I think my ability to connect with spirits and also other people will contribute to investigations and, hopefully lead to some great evidence.
Hobbies and Interests
When I’m not investigating, there’s a fair chance you’ll find me at a concert or, doing makeup for my clients.
Colin Reid : Investigator
Colin has been helping the team at events since 2017, and joined the team officially in 2023 as an investigator.
Claire Rehr : Investigator
Claire joined the team in 2023 having previously been a regular at our Open Meets, investigating as a guest and helping out at events.
Barry Fairbairn : Investigator
Background:
Although born (quite a few years ago!) on the south coast of England I can trace my ancestry back to a village near Jedburgh in the 1600’s. To me that means that living in the Highlands is coming home.
Why I Joined Highland Paranormal:
The paranormal has held a certain fascination for me over a long period. Like others in the Highland Paranormal Group I started going to open meets in Inverness some years ago. This sharpened my interest and enthusiasm. After being a helper on public demonstration nights and investigations I decided to apply to join when there was an investigator vacancy. Luckily I was accepted and enjoy working with the group. Although not being naturally sensitive I am learning to read signs and nuances: an ongoing process which I both enjoy and relish. Now with a few investigations under my belt I feel that I’m integrated with the group and hope to do much good work in the future.
What You Bring to the Team:
I spent my working life in architecture in various architectural practices, designing for various public and commercial organisations. On building sites I learned to use dowsing rods to find buried services like drains and electric cables – a useful skill when related to investigating the paranormal. In my professional life I was also lucky enough to deal with the alteration and the preservation of many old buildings. This means I can bring to the group a working knowledge of their construction and may often help to explain creaks and bumps that might otherwise be misconstrued as ‘activity’.
Hobbies and Interests:
Over twenty years ago I developed an interest in runes – an ancient Norse writing system – which was also used for divination. Nowadays I am pleased to call myself a runecutter, making runes in both wood and ceramics. The products of my work have ended up as far away as Australia and America. Combine that with a life-long interest in history and archaeology, again very useful in certain circumstances.
Now that I’m retired I have more time to devote to the subjects that interest me.
Fiona Hughes : Investigator
Fiona joined the team originally in 2023 as a helper. Having previously been a regular at our Open Meets, and as a guest investigator.
Hannah McDiarmid: Gaelic Investigator
Background:
I am from the Isle of Skye where I have lived my whole life, apart from a brief 7-month stay in Aberdeen for university. I have always been fascinated with history, especially Scottish and Highland history, and the paranormal!
I studied Gaelic Language and Culture which tied in with all my interests, and although I was interested in the supernatural and paranormal, I always said I was on the fence about what I believed until I started to have experiences of my own.
Why I Joined Highland Paranormal:
I have been following the team for a while and so was really grateful to be able to join to help with Gaelic, and also to explore and gain more experience and see what I can pick up on!
What You Bring to the Team:
I want to help as much as possible with language and to be able to join the team on location.
Hobbies and Interests:
Researching history, art and drawing, travel and walking, reading.
Ritchie Innes : Investigator
Ritchie has had a keen interest in the paranormal for sometime, especially the tech side of things.
Having helped out at numerous investigations in 2023, he officially joined the team in October of that year.
Craig Shand : Trainee Investigator
Craig grew up surrounded by the world of paranormal investigation and now follows in his parents footsteps by joining Highland Paranormal.
Laurence Alba : Documentarian
Background:
I was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France. I moved to Charente-Maritime when I was 2, then Toulouse when I was 12. I was a medical secretary for 20 years, before moving to Scotland in 2018.
I am an animal lover, and was volunteering with an association in France for 30 years. I have also studied as a veterinary assistant.
Why I Joined Highland Paranormal:
I joined Highland Paranormal as I want to investigate in a team. Since I was 9 or 10, I started to watch documentaries with my mother about mysterious stories.
In France in the 90' and 00' it was a bit difficult to admit in public you have this kind of interest.
With the internet, people started to watch programs from other countries and even though it was more difficult to find someone to speak about ghosts than in the UK, the subject started to be more common.
I like that the group is serious in its approach to investigations, always looking for rational explanations for activity.
I have never been lucky enough to see an apparition yet but maybe I will see one when I am not expecting it!
What You Bring to the Team:
I am insatiably curious and love to learn and try to find logical explanations. I love photography and I am happy to be a part of the team to take photographs and videos of the investigations.
Hobbies and Interests:
Animals are important to me and I have been lucky to share my home with a few dogs (sharpeis, great danes and fox terrier), many rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs, rats and a mouse) and turtles. I also did pet sitting for an association.
I love meeting all my friends, books, going to gigs and exhibitions, classical music, singing, watching films, series and documentaries of all sorts (I love to learn on many subjects!) walking in nature, especially close to the sea, discovering Scotland and its history, creating jewellery and Lego models, and also playing Magic the Gathering.
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