Families can test their magic powers this Halloween by following a trail and finding hidden ingredients needed to cast a spell as they visit city centre shops.
Go Forth Stirling BID has launched its spooky Halloween Trail with maps available online and from Stirling Central Library and the Book Nook in Upper Craigs.
A variety of tiny ingredients including fairy dust, a goblin’s coin, werewolf hair and an ice crystal can be found at 13 businesses across Stirling city centre.
Shops taking part – including Bella Zena, Tinkerbells Emporium, Archie’s Pet Shop, The Pend Cafe and Let’s Party – will have a poster in their window revealing the special ingredient which is hidden inside.
Participants should go into the shop to collect the ingredient from a small cauldron and once they’ve gathered them all, they should be brought to the Go Forth office in Baker Street which has been transformed into a Witch’s Workshop.
Once there they will cast a spell which will turn the ingredients into a small prize.
The Go Forth office is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 6pm and will also be open on Saturday October 19 and 26.
Stirling’s businesses are also welcoming witches, wizards and goblins to a City Centre Guising day on Saturday October 26 from noon-4pm.
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Participants are invited to dress up in their best Halloween costume and discover the tricks and treats awaiting them at various shops such as Nevermore Tattoo Studio, Clan Artisan, Black Lotus Barbers, Cupcake Alley and Port Street News.
The Go Forth team is also organising a Wand Making Workshop for a one-of-a-kind souvenir at the bottom of King Street.
Meanwhile, an after-dark treat is in store on King Street later in the day when the Athenaeum will be lit up with dazzling Halloween graphics from sunset until 10pm on Saturday October 26 and Sunday October 27.
Go Forth Stirling’s Events Co-ordinator Josie Brown said: “We’ve come up with a wide range of events which offer something for everyone this Hallowe’en and are looking forward to organising some spook-tacular fun.
“We hope lots of families will get involved by following the Halloween Trail around Stirling and take the chance to visit our many wonderful businesses who have decorated their shops and are ready for you to collect the ingredients needed to create a magic spell.
“We also have a real guising adventure in place for the Saturday before Halloween – just look out for the posters in participating business’ windows and pop in to impress them with your spooky outfits and to see what tricks or treats they have for you.
“And the magic doesn’t end there as the Athenaeum at the top of King Street will turn extra eerie with spooky projections starting 30 minutes after sundown until 10pm on the weekend of October 26.”
To find out more about the events and activities happening in Stirling, during the run up to Hallowe’en go to – https://www.goforthstirling.co.uk/halloween – where a Halloween Trail map can also be downloaded.
Free tickets can also be booked now via Eventbrite – www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/stirling-city-centre-guising-and-light-displays-tickets-1030071159567
The Halloween Trail is the latest event – aimed at boosting footfall and encouraging more visitors to come into the city centre – organised by Go Forth Stirling BID (Business Improvement District).
The organisation was set up in 2017 and currently represents more than 600 local businesses with a key objective of delivering projects and services which improve Stirling’s trading environment to benefit businesses, shoppers and visitors.
For more details visit www.goforthstirling.co.uk