Embracing the Spirit of Halloween: Scotland in 2023

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As the autumn season gracefully unfolds, our thoughts naturally gravitate toward cozy sweater-clad strolls, the satisfying crunch of fallen leaves beneath our feet, relishing warm pumpkin soup and indulging in hot chocolate, all while being captivated by spine-tingling tales of the supernatural.

Scotland boasts its own treasure trove of eerie narratives, from spectral figures haunting city graveyards to chilling accounts of witchcraft and the illicit trade of cadavers. One of the most captivating ways to immerse yourself in these tales is by partaking in a guided city walking tour.

While the iconic film “Halloween” (1978) may have globalized the tradition of pumpkin carving, Scotland offers a host of prime locations for selecting pumpkins, along with a few spots preserving the traditional Scottish turnip carving.

Wicked City Walking Tours

Gothic Glasgow:

Journey alongside the enigmatic guide, Vincent, known as “The Man in the Hat,” as you embark on the Gothic Glasgow walking tour. Prepare to uncover the city’s dark and enigmatic history, delving into tales of apparitions and the grotesque world of body-snatching. This haunting tour commences at 8 pm, Wednesday through Sunday, from April to December 2023, just outside Kings Theatre on Bath Street in Glasgow City Centre (a mere 10-minute stroll from Buchanan Galleries). Ticket price: £12 per person (£10 each for groups of 20 or more). Tours are available every day at 8 pm, except for Mondays and Tuesdays, and last for 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Book your tickets online at www.gothicglasgow.com.

Free Ghost Tour with City Explorers, Edinburgh:

Edinburgh, renowned as one of Europe’s most haunted cities, is steeped in a history marked by murders, witchcraft, and plagues. Discover the dual nature of the city, a juxtaposition of beauty and horror, as you embark on a free 1.5-hour Ghost Tour.

The tour unveils ghostly accounts and sinister stories that transport you back to Edinburgh’s eerie past, meandering through shadowy alleyways and haunted lanes. Highlights include a visit to the most haunted graveyard in Scotland and stories of the infamous Edinburgh witch trials. Admission is free, and groups of 14 or more can book a private tour. Tours are available daily at 7 pm, with the meeting point being 154 High Street, Edinburgh.

Booking online is recommended at https://freeghosttour.com/

Aberdeen Dark History Audio Tour:

Immerse yourself in the chilling tales of crime and punishment that have unfolded over the past 500 years in Aberdeen. This audio tour is designed to lead you on a 3 km journey through the city center, taking in many of its oldest surviving quarters. The tour, which lasts 45 minutes without interruptions, can be paused as needed and operates through your smartphone’s GPS using the VoiceMap mobile app.

Along the way, you’ll encounter key landmarks in Aberdeen, from Marischal College to the Mercat Cross, all of which have witnessed some of the city’s most shocking moments in history. This tour reveals the dark and often unjust laws that have shaped Aberdeen’s past over the last five centuries. The audio tour is priced at £5.60 and is available on iTunes and Google Play via the VoiceMap app, as well as on the VoiceMap website.

For more information, visit http://scotfreetours.com/aberdeen-dark-history.

History and Horror Tour of Perth:

Unearth the dark, often grisly, and sometimes eerie history of Perth on this walking tour of the “Fair City.” As you traverse the dimly lit streets and closes of historic Perth, the tour narrates harrowing tales, culminating in a visit to a haunted graveyard. Tickets are priced at £11.55 per person, and the tour takes place every Friday at 8 pm, with the meeting point being Horsecross Plaza outside the Perth Concert Hall.

Secure your spot by booking online at www.historyandhorrortours.com/fundraiser.

Stirling GhostWalk:

Stirling’s Old Town has earned a reputation as “the most densely populated supernatural square mile in all of Scotland.” The Stirling GhostWalk, a beloved tourist attraction in the Royal Burgh’s Old Town for 25 years, offers a unique blend of comedy, drama, and storytelling to visitors.

The tour features iconic locations such as Hangman’s Close, Auld Kirkyard, and Beheading Stone on Gowan Hill, granting lesser-known characters and attractions in the city their moment in the limelight. Tickets are priced at £8 for adults and £6 for children. The meeting point is the gates of the Old Town Jail on St John Street.

The tour typically lasts around 75 minutes, with the duration adjusting depending on the audience’s size. Secure your spot by booking online at www.stirlingghostwalk.com.

Scotland’s Special Halloween Events:

Waking The Witch, Dumfries (Friday, 27 October 2023):
The witch trials left an indelible mark on Dumfries, with at least 78 people accused of witchcraft during the height of the persecutions. Join Mostly Ghostly, award-winning storytellers, for this exceptional event.

They’ll reawaken historical accounts with rich narratives and dramatizations, shedding light on alleged witchcraft and its dire consequences. The event includes a visit to Dumfries Museum and the Old Bridge House Museum, where you’ll explore intriguing artifacts from the witch-hunting era. The price is £14 for adults and £12 for those under 16 (recommended for ages 12 and above).

Booking is essential; visit facebook.com/mostlyghostlytours or inquire at 07791 047835 for more details.

Dunfermline Interactive Ghost Walk Scotland (Saturday, 28 October 2023):
Dunfermline, once Scotland’s ancient capital, boasts historical significance as the resting place of over 20 of Scotland’s Kings and Queens. As you explore the city, learn about its darker history, with a special focus on Dunfermline Abbey, where sightings of monks wandering between St Catherine’s Wynd and Monastery Street late at night have been reported. The event, which is already sold out for September dates, offers insights into the city’s eerie past.

Tickets are priced at £10; secure your spot online at https://hauntingnightsghostwalks.co.uk/event/dunfermline-interactive-ghost-walk/.

Dark Side Walking Tour, Inverness (Special Halloween Event – Limited Tickets Available from 28-31 October 2023):

Returning for the second year after a sold-out 2022 edition, this after-dark Halloween tour invites visitors to follow in the footsteps of murderers, executioners, and malicious fairies. The 1.5-hour special event breathes life into Inverness’s dark past, including gruesome executions at the High Church, eerie apparitions at Eden Court, and bloody castle sieges.

Tickets are priced at £15 per person; book your spot at www.walkingtoursin.com/invernessdarkside.

Ghosts of Glamis, Glamis Castle, Angus (26-31 October 2023):
Glamis Castle, said to be one of the most haunted places in Scotland, beckons visitors with a brand-new tour for 2023. This immersive experience allows you to delve into the spooky tales that enshroud its majestic rooms.

Following the tour, adventurous souls can venture into the vast, dark gardens and grounds surrounding the castle, illuminated with a light trail. The tours cater to both adults and children and run in the evenings from 6 pm to 9 pm.

Tickets are priced at £17 for adults and £12 for children aged 5-16. Secure your spot by booking online at https://www.glamis-castle.co.uk/event/ghosts-of-glamis-2023-2/.

Samhain Celebrations @ The Trimontium Museum, Melrose, Scottish Borders (Saturday, 28 & Sunday, 29 October 2023):

Join in the Halloween fun at the Trimontium Museum as you explore the traditions of Samhain and their influence on modern-day Halloween customs. Storyteller Nicola Agricola will be on hand to share tales of ancient Samhain traditions in Scotland, including the more macabre and gruesome aspects. The event is suitable for the whole family and features craft activities, costumed characters, turnips, storytelling, and Celtic face painting.

Activities are free with museum entry. For more information, visit www.trimontium.co.uk.

For more Halloween events in Scotland in 2023, explore www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/events/halloween/annual-events.

Pick of the Pumpkins (and Some Turnips Too)

PumpkinFest, Broadslap Farm, Perthshire (7 to 29 October 2023):

At Broadslap Farm, you can immerse yourself in a delightful patch of pumpkins, where you can select from a variety of shapes and sizes. Afterward, enjoy a warm beverage or a bite to eat at Broadslap’s café or let the kids run wild in the play barn. Entry is free, and bookings can be made for arrivals every 10 minutes. There is ample free parking, and even your furry companions are welcome as the patch at Broadslap is dog-friendly. Admission is free.

Book your spot online at https://broadslapfruitfarm.co.uk/broadslap-pumpkinfest.

Pumpkin Picking at Clackmae Farm, Scottish Borders (13-16, 18, 20-29 October 2023):

Situated between the towns of Lauder, Melrose, and Earlston in the Scottish Borders, Clackmae Farm invites visitors to “pick your own” pumpkins. You can also take advantage of carving workshops, explore a maize maze, participate in “paint your pumpkin” sessions, and embrace the spirit of Halloween by dressing up in your favorite witch’s hat. The price is £11.26 per car for entry, and you can book your spot online here.

Westerton Farmers, Aberdeenshire:

Westerton Farmers is a family-run farm located in the North East of Scotland, just 35 minutes south of Aberdeen. In October, alongside their pumpkin-picking event, Westerton Farmers also hosts a harvest market featuring local businesses selling their produce and activities for children. Visitors can visit the spud hut, which offers potatoes, carrots, turnips, and other vegetables, as well as locally sourced beef, fresh bread, jams, marmalades, and chutneys.

For more information about visiting, go to: https://westertonfarmers.co.uk/events/#pyo.

Balgone Estate, North Berwick, East Lothian (Various Dates in October 2023):
Balgone Estate proudly claims the title of possibly Scotland’s largest pumpkin patch. In 2023, their pumpkin-picking event returns with over 50,000 pumpkins and squashes in 27 distinct varieties spread across 10 acres.

The event also includes a Haunted Trail, guiding visitors on a 2 km adventure around a picturesque lake. Guests can visit the Crooked Cauldron and savor treats like toasted marshmallows by the lakeside. Entry is priced at £10 per car, granting access to the pumpkin patch, haunted trail, and catering.

Book your spot online at https://balgoneestate.co.uk/bookings.

For other pumpkin-picking and “Pick your own” options in 2023, explore www.goruralscotland.com. To discover more about Halloween events and activities in Scotland, visit https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/events/halloween.

Embrace the enchanting blend of history, tradition, and spine-tingling adventure that Scotland has to offer in the autumn of 2023.

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