Dumfriesshire is going crazy for Hallowe’en this autumn with more events than ever.
Many are focusing on spine-chilling family fun to coincide with the half-term break as schools are due to return on Monday, October 28 with Hallowe’en falling on the Thursday.
Mostly Ghostly are hosting some spooky adventures over the next few weeks including a Walk on The Dark Side Tour tonight at 9pm exploring gripping elements of the horrid history of Dumfries and featuring real-life accounts of crime and justice, dark insights into the grave-robbing era and the story of a grisly execution on what is now hallowed ground.
See their Facebook page for more, including a Dumfries Ghost Walk on Sunday, October 27.
Drumlanrig Castle is offering a Pumpkin Patch day out in its ghoulish grounds near Thornhill for £15 per child (under 5’s, £7.50) and free accompanying adults per child, which includes a pumpkin to take home, snack box, Halloween Trail, craft activities and access to the playground and gardens.
Booking is essential and the dates available are today to Monday and next Friday to Monday, 11am to 3pm. There are also additional support needs sessions.
Tomorrow sees the Teviotdale Steel Bonnets provide a day of chilling lore on the Border Reivers in the backdrop of the atmospheric ancient stone walls of Gilnockie Tower, Hollows Bridge, Canonbie.
It’s from 10.30am to 2.30 pm and costs £7.
Johnstonebridge Pumpkin Festival is being held on Sunday with all welcome from 1pm to 3pm, at £5 per child.
It is being held in the village’s Johnstonebridge Centre and includes pumpkin picking, face painting, photo backdrop, snacks, drinks, and games to play and more.
On Monday, there are two educational events for children at The Devil’s Porridge Museum in Eastriggs, who are working with Mostly Ghostly for the occasion.
First up, from 10am to noon for seven to 11-year-olds is A Haunting Halloween at H.M. Factory Gretna which is an interactive spooky storytelling session with the chance to create their own stories and crafts. c
From 1pm to 3pm, its the turn of 11 to 15-year-olds with The Dark Side of H.M. Gretna will tales of the everyday dangers faced by the munition workers, evacuees. The Quintinshill Rail Disaster and local spooky stories will also feature.
Tickets are £3 online at the museum.
On Wednesday at 7pm, St Michael’s Churchyard in Dumfries gets the Mostly Ghostly treatment with Lifeblood: Stories of Cholera, Calamity and Hope exploring the impact of two major cholera epidemics in the town.
Places can be booked via their Facebook page.
There is the chance to enjoy some free family Hallowe’en fun at Dumfries Museum, Rotchell Road, on Thursday at 11am, with Creepy Crafts and Spooky Stories creating artwork using Hallowe’en printing blocks, hearing spine-tingling tales with their storyteller, and brewing up some witches potions with colour changes, fizzes and pops.
No need to book, just turn up any time between 11am and 3pm.
Also on Thursday, The Devil’s Porridge Museum is hosting a Children’s Halloween Party from 6.30pm to 8pm for six to 12-year-olds – including a costume competition. Booking is essential and it costs £3.
Annan Harbour Action Group is holding its Pumpkin Patch Special event on Saturday, October 26.
They’ll have the Tall Ship La Malouine which will be at the Annan Harbour with fun activities on board, including a treasure hunt and knot-tying challenge, along with crafts, games, and marshmallow toasting.
There are two time slots of noon to 1.45pm an 2pm to 3.45pm, costing £3 per child (cash only at entrance) or pre-book online at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/pumpkin-patch-tickets.
Dock Park in Dumfries is the venue for a Hallowe’en Westie Walk on Saturday, October 26, at 1pm. Westies of Dumfries and Galloway are meeting at Dock Park to frighten everyone with their costumes. All are welcome.
Heathhall Community Centre, Barnett Road, Dumfries, is hosting a Kids Hallowe’en Disco on Saturday, October 26, from 2pm to 4pm offering spooktacular fun organised by our volunteers.
This includes dancing, games, gruesome treats and prizes for the best dressed. Admission is £3 per child via 07719046580 or [email protected].
Eskrigg Nature Reserve at Lockerbie is holding a pumping lantern contest and parade on Saturday, October 26. Families are asked to come to the car park for 5.15pm and make their way o the Eskrigg Centre for judging at 5.30pm.
There will be prizes for the best three and then everyone will light up their pumpkins and parade through the reserve to the car park.
Gretna Green Famous Blacksmiths Shop centre is having a Spooktacular Halloween Weekend on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 and 27, from 10am to 4pm (last entry at 3pm) in the Blacksmiths Foodcourt.
The cost is £8 per child and includes a spooky Halloween Trail, pick your own pumpkin, colouring and games, plus sweeties and juice included.
All little ghouls and goblins are invited to go dressed up with a daily prize for the best costume.
Due to popular demand, booking is advised at 01461 337 893, but walk-ins are welcome too.
The RH Youth Organisation will present The Halloween Event on the land behind Lockerbie Ice Rink, also on Saturday, October 26, with time slots either 6-7.30pm or 7-8.30pm and tickets – which can be booked on their website – cost £2.50 per person and includes a visit to the witch’s cabin to collect a small gift; a spooky scavenger hunt; a ride on the ghost train; Hallowe’en activities and a best dressed competition.
There will also be a tuckshop with the opportunity to purchase hotdogs, soup, teas and coffees and hot chocolate.
There is free talk on Sunday, October 27, when Dumfries and Galloway Council Museums curator for the east, Judith Hewitt, will be at St Michael’s Church in Dumfries speaking about about the History of Hallowe’en.
In a previous role, she curated the exhibition, Glitter and Gravedust: Hallowe’en past and present, and really knows her stuff.
Her talk will explore the real history of Hallowe’en in all its brilliant complexity including the role of Robert Burns and Scotland in its development.
And look to answer the questions: Is Halloween Christian or Pagan? Is it European or American? Is it commercial or spiritual?
This event is part of the Wild Goose Festival 2024, produced by The Stove Network, and is free to attend, no need to book.
Annan Museum has been showcasing its excellent Legends of Old Annandale exhibition for free and it ends on October 31 for anyone who has not seen it yet.
For the final week, museums access officer, Tom Hughes, who curated the exhibition, will lead a free tour at 11am of the displays, with visitors getting to hear tales of dragons, malevolent fairies, witches, border reivers and much more. Tom will also reveal hidden details of the artefacts featured and share some other strange tales from the area.
No need to book, just turn up.
On Hallowe’en, Thursday, October 31, LIFT D&G is holding a Hallowe’en Party in the YMCA building, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm, with fancy dress, disco, prizes, and games.
There will also be A Traditional Hallowe’en at Cruck Cottage, Torthorwald, from 7pm to 8.30pm on Thursday, October 31. Gather by the peat fire in the atmospheric setting of the cottage for a Hallowe’en evening from days gone by including a storyteller’s ghostly tales by candlelight and tumshie lantern, Scottish traditions for Samhain such as divining the future, guising and Galoshins, and how to keep witches from your door.
It is suitable for adults and children over 12 and as the Cruck Cottage is managed by volunteers – it receives no regular external funding for its upkeep – and there is a suggested donation of £5 per person. Places can be booked via Eventbrite.
The celebrations end on Friday, November 1, with a Samhain Sound Bath & Soul Art Experience at Apache Land Community Garden in Sunderries Road, Dumfries, offering an introductory event blending sound healing and creative expression.
Organisers said: “Our Samhain Sound Bath will begin with guided relaxation, breath work and then immerse you in soothing sound vibrations using singing bowls, voice, drums and other gentle instruments guiding you to a state of deep relaxation.
“Following the sound bath, unleash your creativity with our Soul Art Experience, where you can connect with the ancient symbolism of Samhain and create meaningful art from the depths of your soul.”
Some concessionary spaces available by contacting: [email protected] for more details. The venue and toilet are accessible.
Spaces can be booked at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/samhain-sound-bath-soul-art-experience-tickets-1031317487367?.