Halloween Days Out Near Me
Halloween Days Out Near Me – Scotland Special 
Halloween is a BIG DEAL in Scotland, so if your family is looking for history and atmosphere on All Hallow’s Eve then let Scotland cast its spell. Here’s our top spooky days out to frighten your little devils.
1 EDINBURGH The Real Mary King’s Close – Halloween Days Out Near Me
What’s underneath your feet in Edinburgh can make you shudder – Mary King’s Close is a seriously creepy subterranean warren of underground streets. A few hundred years ago this close was home to entire families therefore all ages of visitor can relate to the tales unravelling before them. Many ghost-hunters have explored the streets to see if the area is haunted but most modern tourists are attracted to the social history experience on offer.
The worst version of the close’s story is that the streets were bricked up during an outbreak of the plague leaving the inhabitants to slowly perish. Discover the truth from costumed tour guides who uncover a slice of Edinburgh street life frozen in time since the 17th century. Book tickets here.
Discover more to do in Edinburgh here.
Find Family Accommodation in Edinburgh here.
Find Free Things to Do in Edinburgh Here.
2 Edinburgh, The Cauldron
Book a magical Potion Making afternoon tea at The Cauldron. Wear a cape, wave your magic wand and discover a delight of secret tea-chest compartments, illuminations and spell binding food and drink. Fun and original for all ages.
Find more Child Friendly Afternoon Teas in Edinburgh
3 Have Breakfast with a Witch, and Tea with Wizards, Dumfries
Moat Brae, Scotland’s National Centre for Children’s Literature is running v cool and spooky events. Breakfast with a Witch involves barista coffees, hot rolls, and more as kids take part in story time and games with the Witch. 23 October 2023.
If you’d prefer Chocolate Making Workshops with a Wizard book a day out to Moat Brae on 25 or 28 October 2023. Savour Afternoon Tea with the Wizard on 27 October. Join Wizard Club and spend the entire day letting the kids take part in enchanting games, story-themed crafts, baking, and so much more. 16 and 20 October 2023. There’s a Potions Workshop on 24 October and a Halloween Party on 29 October. SO much going on. Keep up to date and book tickets here.
For more things to do in Dumfries read our full guide to the town.
3 Visit AYRSHIRE – Halloween Days Out Near Me
Firstly, Ayr’s Tamfest is a huge celebration of all things spooky and otherworldly. Secondly, one of Scotland’s best loved hoot of a poem, Tam O’ Shanter, is set in Ayr. The poem tells the raucous tale of drunken Tam who spies witches and the Devil having a fair old party in Kirk Alloway.
By taking a trip to Ayrshire you can visit Kirk Alloway and Brig o Doon (the bridge Tam famously galloped over pursued by witches), the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and see startlingly spooky artworks at Rozelle House. Read our quick and simple guide to Ayr with kids here.
4 Nr EDINBURGH – Rosslyn Chapel – Halloween Days Out Near Me
Only a few miles to the south-east of Edinburgh is a truly mesmerising small chapel that shot to fame in the The Da Vinci Code.
The carvings within Rosslyn Chapel are so intricate, compelling and prolific that finding a spooky selection is fun for little ones – how many green men can you find? Or you can tell them the eery tale of the apprentice, murdered by his jealous master after creating the impressive Apprentice Pillar.
5 ABERDEENSHIRE – Slain’s Castle
North of Aberdeen is the small fishing village of Cruden Bay and a short walk from here are the ruins of Slains Castle. A crumbling castle is always atmospheric but this particular one is said to have inspired Bram Stoker and his famous novel Dracula. Would your kids like to visit a spooky castle that led to the creation of the world’s most famous vampire? Read a guide to visiting Slains Castle here.
Guide to Visiting Slains Castle
6 LEWIS/ORKNEY/SHETLAND – Stone Circles
If you want to go for something less obvious, perhaps leaning towards the pagan or spiritual rather than witches or ghouls, then an atmospheric stone circle may make the perfect stop. Some of the best stone circles in Scotland can be found in Orkney, Shetland and Lewis but there are some on the mainland too – click here to find out more from VisitScotland.
- Other ideas include the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh – 31 October 2023
- Traquair House’s Halloween Fun Day, Peebles – 29 October 2023
- Paisley’s Halloween Festival is running 26-28 October 2023.
- Floors Castle Halloween Trail in Kelso runs 20-29 October 2023.
7 Where to Stay
Make a weekend of it by booking glam glamping at Macbeth’s Hillock. The site is said to be the place where Macbeth met the three witches. The glamping pods are shaped like witches hats, and the curtains feature black cats! This cosy accommodation, with piping hot private showers and well furnished kitchens is comfortable and modern but, by night, it can be very atmospheric round the campfire. Find out more here.
Whatever you choose please do make sure your Halloween is terrifyingly terrific…
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I love Halloween its one of my favorite holidays and I would love to experience it in another country. I would probably find all the green men in Rosslyn Chapel. lol
Rosslyn is mind blowing, no pictures can do justice to the craftsmanship – especially when you think they were working before electricity, power tools etc!
Ooh those all sound like seriously spooky places. Great article!
I love the history and stories behind them all e.g. Tam O Shanter’s one of my favourite poems so to be able to visit so much linked to it is pretty cool.
Love spooky places and stories! These looks awesome.
Love spooky places and stories. These look awesome!
I love a bit of history too.
Wow, they ARE spooky!
— DT | Here I Scribble
It would be a dream come true to be able to visit Scotland during the holidays! Wow, it looks really spooky! I love all the history behind it!
I’ve visited Edinburgh loads of times and had no idea what was under my feet. There’s a lot of subterranean Edinburgh! Hope you get to visit soon.
I get spooked easily so this would be ultra scary for me! I like the glamour part of Halloween 🙂
You’ll love this then. I used to be girl number one, now heading towards number 2 https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=725860987547990&pnref=story
With all of that natural history it is a given that it would be spooky for sure. I visited Scotland when I was in middle school and it was such a beautiful place, there was a feeling of mystery around with with all of the old buildings.
School trips can be comedy! Where did they take you? Edinburgh and Glasgow I’m guessing.
I am such a huge fan of spooky places! This is great!
Thanks!
My niece has Scottish ancestry. I’m going to share this with her. She’ll absolutely love it/1
That’s a nice gesture – I hope she enjoys it and sees a new side to Scotland.
Halloween is probably one of my favourite holidays! It’s so spooky and great and I love watching scary movies, visiting haunted places – so cool! Great post!!
Thanks. Hope you have a spooky time.
Incredible. I am seriously so jealous and my husband would be too. We love traveling and we love Halloween. This looks amazing.
Thanks. Hope you make it to Scotland soon.
Talking about Halloween, I visited an amazing place in Phillip- Easter State Penitentiary! It was crazy!!!
Ok, I’ve been to Alcatraz – bit predictable I know but never Phillip Easter State Penitentiary. Is it still operational or a historic site? I’ve never heard of it.
Wow – my kids love historic memoirs and contemplating all the different ways of life. This would certainly be an incredible trip for them. To get a real taste of the past! Thanks for sharing!
The Real Mary’s Kings Close would be right up their street then. I’d never want to be there after it closes though!!!
I didn’t know all the this history of Scotland. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks.
Having been born and bred in the UK, it amazes me how there can be such amazing things that I didn’t know were almost on my doorstep! These places look seriously fabulous, I’m going to have to take a trip!
On your doorstep and sometimes literally under your feet 🙂
Not sure what happened to my comment, I’ve had a couple issues commenting on blogs today.. maybe it’s the lack of coffee lol!
Now back to what I had said earlier lol. I would love to visit these places. I’d probably chicken out, but within reason, I suppose. I love scary things, but I hate them, it’s a love/hate relationship. The most I’ve visited was made up haunted houses and those scare me, but it’s awesome knowing these places are all over the world! If I ever get the chance to visit Scotland (it’s on my one day list) I will try to get into one of these places for a visit for sure!
Looks like a lot of fun! I love the history behind it! I would love to go The Real Mary’s King Close!
I love Halloween and those look like some super spooky places! 🙂 I’d love to travel there someday!
Halloween or not, I would love to visit Scotland!! Definitely on my list of places to explore!
So much to do for its size – really good mix of city, nature, cosmopolitan then wilderness. Hope you make it one day.
Halloween or not, I would love to visit Scotland! It is definitely on my list of places to explore!!
Underground streets and secret tunnels! How exciting!! I would love to go here and take a look around. Plus the spooky castles. I never really thought about it before, but it might be cool to go twice to the same castle once at night and once in daylight. It would be interesting to experience the difference! Thanks for sharing!
I did that with a temple in Malaysia as by night it was beautifully lit up. Definitely worth seeing twice.