Stirling has a darker side to explore this Halloween
If you like to be spooked when Halloween comes around, then you’ll love Stirling. With its turbulent history and dark cobbled streets, the City has more than its share of macabre tales, ghost stories and unexplained events. For those who enjoy the thrill of the shadows, then Stirling is the place to be this Halloween.
The Scottish Paranormal Festival runs from 30 October to 2 November in possibly the most haunting venue in Scotland – the City of Stirling. The festival promises to deliver everything you want to know about the unexplained and other-worldly with experts speaking on everything from ghostly photographs to poltergheists, from UFOs to ‘Things that go bump in the mind’. There’s a film festival for both adults and children, showing movies that range from the terrifying ‘The Shining’ to gentler, kids’ choices like ‘Paranorman’ and ‘Frankenweenie’. Children can also take part in Halloween storytelling, dress up and drama, with Tapsalteerie Theatre Scotland, who promise to ‘tip-toe safely with you through some some spoofily spooky moments and confidently out the other side’. More robust Halloween fans will enjoy the interactive events for adults. The popular night vigils are already sold out, but tickets still remain for the Ghost Hunters Round Table and Workshop, as well as the Bonnybridge Skywatch. When you’ve had your fill of terror, then it’s time to dig out your Halloweem costume and head to the Caledonian Vampyre Ball on Friday 31st, for supernatural rock music, ceilidh dancing, and a demonic DJ! For information on all events, venues and ticket prices, see http://www.paranormalscotland.com/
Stirling Ghost Walks have tales to tell about Stirling Castle and the Old Town
Stirling Ghost Walks promise ‘fear, fun and frights for all the family’ for those who want to explore the haunted nooks and crannies of Stirling itself. Costumed actors bring comedy, drama and storytelling together to breathe life into Stirling’s ancient Old Town and its grisly past. Meet the City’s many ghosts, from Blind Alick Lyon to the Black Lady, spirits in what was once described as ‘the most densely populated supernatural square mile in all of Scotland’. The ghost walks will appeal to all ages, and take in many of Stirling’s most historic sites, from John Cowane’s Hospital (home to Sprinkle Happiness by daylight) to the Beheading Stone, Argyll’s Lodging and Stirling Castle. For details and tickets, see: http://www.stirlingghostwalk.com/
Nicky-Tam’s Bar and Bothy Stirling, possibly the most haunted pub in Stirling
Nicky-Tam’s Bar and Bothy is not only the second-oldest pub in Stirling, it claims to be the most haunted. Renovations in 1999 were fraught with reports of apparitions and unsettling events after a photograph of what looked like a clergyman was discovered, walled into the fabric of the building. Clairvoyants visited the site three times over 1999 and 2000, and claimed that there were a number of spirits present in the building; some benign, and one more aggressive presence, perhaps the clergyman in the photo. While the events have not been fully explained, Nicky-Tams still attracts both ghost-hunters and those simply looking for home-cooked food, good beer, and great live events. If you’re thirsty on your way up to Stirling Castle – stop by for a drink – you might just spot a ghost too. For more information, see: http://www.nickytams.com/
Photo Credits:
- Stirling Castle by Night by Finlay McWalter via Wikimedia Commons: This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported licence.
- John Cowane’s Hospital by Colin Smith via Wikimedia Commons: This file is licenced under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic licence.
- Nicky-Tams Bar and Bothy via Trip Advisor