Haunted happenings: October in Scotland

Emily Goetsch Student Services Officer

Date

October 1, 2017
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Scotland's history of full of ghost stories, tales of horror and spooky occurrences.  While you can investigate these dark and ghoulish aspects of the country all year long, they lend a particularly special dimension to the month of October and Halloween celebrations.

Whether you're interested in pagan traditions that mark the changing of the seasons or sinister stories of murder and intrigue, there are plenty of happenings around Scotland that will add a little jolt to your October.  These are a few that might be worth checking out:

Aberdeen

ghosts & ghouls at halloween in old aberdeen

31 october, crombie johnston halls, 7:30pm

Celebrate the horrible histories of old Scotland on Halloween.

scot free tours: crime pays tour

27 and 28 october, mercat cross, 7:15pm

Learn about dark moments in Aberdeen's history with this free walking tour of some scary sites!

An evening with anthony o'neill

4 october, waterstones, 7pm

Anthony O'Neill wrote a follow-up to Robert Louis Stevenon's classic, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. Hear him speak about his spooky sequel. 

Edinburgh

haunted halloween: the midnight tour

27-31 october, mercat cross, 11pm

There are a number of ghost tours on offer in Edinburgh, but these are late-night tours for those wanting an extra thrill!

samhuinn fire festival

31 october, royal mile, 9pm

This fire parade, which ushers in winter, is a spectacle!  Not to be missed!

the devil and the clutch of fools: a spontaneous marathon of halloween storytelling

31 october, scottish storytelling centre, 10am-10pm

If you enjoy a ghost story, this is for you!

Glasgow

halloween puppet making workshop

28 october, scottish mask and puppet centre, 10am  

Craft your own creepy creature!

the addams family

10-14 october, king's theatre, 2:30 or 7:30pm

Creepy and cooky, the Addams Family musical is an October must-see.

pumpkin carving and mulled cider

28 october, little botanica, 5pm

Enjoy this autumnal tradition!

St Andrews

autumnal activities

28 october, balgrove larder

Enjoy culinary delights of the season and a broomstick making class on the 28th!

crimes of passion walking tour

11 october, city centre, 8pm

Explore the dark side of Dundee's historic streets.

Stirling

loathsome linlithgow

27 october, the cross, 4pm

Explore the dark and bloody history of this historic Royal Burgh.

woodland light experience

25-31 october, Ballochruin farm

It might not be particularly scary, but this evening wander through Scottish woodland offers an atmospheric and autumnal experience!

csi stirling

1 october, stirling castle, 10:30am

Again, it's not necessarily a scary event, but go along and learn about skeletons and the body.