The Haunted Castle
Take a tour around the spooky hallways of Culzean Castle after the sun sets. Lasting around 45 minutes to an hour, there’s a whole host of spirits and spectres awaiting in the hallways of the castle. Visitors will meet the unhinged ghosts of previous victims and try to avoid the creeping creatures that have made the castle their home. Visitors’ bravery will be put to the test to survive being hunted by the scary Rebreather. If you make it out, there will be a bowl of soup, tea or coffee waiting for you. The Wednesday night tour is already sold out, so book for Thursday now to avoid disappointment.
Wednesday 30th October – Thursday 31st October from 6pm-9pm
Tickets are £18.50 and can be booked online
Culzean Castle, Maybole, South Ayrshire, KA19 8LE
Cher
A world famous superstar for more than 40 years, Cher has won an Oscar and an Emmy in her career. She’s conquered every musical endeavour and more – from concerts, recordings and broadway to film directing and books. She has released more than 25 albums, selling over 100 million records across the globe throughout her Grammy-winning career. Don’t miss out on the chance to see the star in action as she takes the stage at the Hydro next week.
Monday 28th October at 6.30pm
Tickets start at £51
The SSE Hydro, Exhibition Way, Glasgow, G3 8YW
The Witchy Walk
A family-friendly spooky guided tour around Teasses house and gardens. Families can explore the woods and listen to ghost stories from The Walking Theatre Company. With a costume competition where the best dressed wins a prize – there’s a chance to see who can put together the spookiest outfit. The tours start at 6pm so there’s a chance to get some trick or treating in before heading out into the woods.
Thursday the 31st of October from 6pm-8pm
Tickets range from £10-£15
Teasses House and Gardens, Ceres, Fife, KY8 5PG
Eco Fair
Join Edinburgh’s branch of Greenpeace on Saturday for their Eco Fair. You will have the chance to discover Edinburgh’s eco-friendly companies and services. There will be a variety of stalls featuring a range of planet-friendly gifts, treats and food. Also joining the lineup of the Ecofair is the clothes swap after its success as part of the fair last year. The fair also offers visitors the chance to get involved in a variety of workshops throughout the day, including willow baskets and wooden flower carving. The fair will also have live music.
Saturday 2nd November from 10am-4pm
Free entry
Out of the Blue Drill Hall, 36 Dalmeny Street, Edinburgh, EH6 8RG
Cabaret de Spook
Cabaret superstar Tom Harlow hosts an evening of music, magic (and a bit of mayhem) at the Barras Art and Design. After the success of their Christmas cabarets they’ve changed things up. Swapping the mistletoe for macabre guests are invited to join them in their ‘Big BAAD Lair’. There will be a variety of performances on the night from Loop Theatre, Lewis Sherlock and host Tom Harlow, among a variety of others, and there’s still more to be announced.
Sunday 3rd November 5.30pm-8.30pm
Tickets from £9
54 Calton Entry, Glasgow, G40 2SB
Enchanted Forest
After attracting over 80,000 visitors last year, Scotland’s premier sound and light experience, Enchanted Forest, returns this year. Winner of multiple awards over the years, including Best Cultural Event at the VisitScotland Regional Awards last year and Best Outdoor Festival at the Scottish Outdoor & Leisure Awards in 2017. Every year the creative team starts with a blank canvas and comes up with an inspirational display inspired by the natural beauty of the skies and forest. Combining stunning visuals, state of the art technology and an inspired soundscape it promises to be an unforgettable night. Although the event is sold out now, there’s the chance to grab some returned tickets so keep an eye on the website.
3rd October-3rd November
Tickets range from £10-£20
3 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, PH16 5BX
Edinburgh Short Film Festival
The Edinburgh Short Film Festival is dedicated to screening short films from Edinburgh, Scotland and across the globe. The festival has covered films spanning genres, including the first film made in Somalia in 20 years and Oscar-nominated short films from Australia, the US and Ireland. It even shows films smuggled out of countries like China and Iran and hosting a variety of film-makers from around the world. The festival will be taking place next week in Edinburgh College of Art, with day and evening showings.
24th October – 9th November (timings vary)
Tickets from £4-£5
Edinburgh College of Art, 64 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh, EH3 9DF
Meander Late: Spooky Bat Walk
A creature so often associated with Halloween, instead of hanging up a plastic one this Halloween, head to Hospitalfield and learn more about bats on a guided walk around Hospitalfield’s grounds with their bat expert. There’s the chance to learn about the local bats and listen to their hunting calls through a bat detector. Be sure to wrap up warm and bring your torch to make the most of the tour. At the end, head inside for pumpkin soup with homemade bread rolls and hot chocolate.
Tuesday 29th October from 7-8.30pm
Tickets are free (but must be booked online)
Hospitalfield Arts, Westway, Arbroath, Angus, DD11 2NH
Wizard School
For those of you still upset over not getting your Hogwarts letter, now is the chance to live your wizard dreams by enrolling in wizard school. At Castle Fraser you’ll be welcomed to the Wizard School and then allocated to your house. As part of your house you’ll have the chance to enrol in a series of workshops to learn wizard activities including potion-making and craft making, among other classes. At the end, attendees will graduate Castle Fraser Wizard School with their very own wand.
25th-27th October from 10am-3.30pm
Tickets are £10
Castle Fraser Estate, Sauchen, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire, AB51 7LD
Sonica
Experience cutting-edge performances from established international artists who cross the boundaries of music, theatre, visual and electronic art. Produced by Cryptic, responsible for some of the most fascinating live performance work in Scotland. After launching in 2012, the festival has put on over 400 events featuring almost 200 artists from across the globe. This award-winning festival returns for another year, showcasing more Scottish talent than in previous years as well as international artists from countries like Argentina, Belgium and Canada, among many others. There will be a variety of performances over the next week and the full schedule can be found online – so have a look and see what takes your fancy. Next week, check out Deep Listening Soundscapes and have a listen to the compositions from submerged microphones recording below the surface sounds.
Thursday 31st October – Sunday 10th November
Prices vary depending on the show (Deep Listening Soundscapes is free)
Various venues around Glasgow (Deep Listening Soundscapes is at The Hidden Gardens. 25 Albert Drive, Glasgow, G41 2PE)
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