A ghaist toun is an abandoned veelage, toun, or ceety, uisually ane whilk conteens substantial visible remeens. A toun aften becomes a ghaist toun acause the economic throu-pit that uphaudit it haes misgaun, or whit wi naitral or human-gart mishanters lik fludes, govrenment actions, lowseness that is oot o the theats, war, or nuclear mishanters. The term can whiles refer tae ceeties, touns, or neebourheids whilk is still populate, but significantly less nor in years past; for example thaim affectit bi heich levels o idleset or dereliction.