On Saturday 23 May, The Room @ Troqueer Arms Pub in Dumfries will form the Gothic candlelit backdrop to an evening of paranormal delights. For the second year running, we’re thrilled to be holding an event as part of Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival. Attracted by the welcoming atmosphere and collection of ghostly reports connected with the former Mill Owner’s house, we were inspired to create High Spirits at The Room!

Having officially launched our investigation project in October 2008 at Scotland’s oldest working theatre - Dumfries Theatre Royal - we’ve since visited and researched a range of unique locations including; Greenlaw Mansion, Castle Douglas, Amisfield House and Tower, The Mount Sydney Inn and infamously haunted A75 road. Drawing on some of our most extraordinary encounters from these investigations and many more, we aim to entertain guests with an informative presentation amidst The Room’s vibrant yet intimate ambience.

Complimenting our personal stories, we’ll regale guests with a host of spine-tingling tales from the pub itself including ghostly apparitions, phantom footsteps and chairs that simply won’t sit still! We’ve been gathering reports from staff and visitors since the late 1990s and to give you a hint of what lies in store, we’d like to share a report from Iain Marr, Landlord of the Troqueer Arms. One night, several years ago, Iain said goodbye to the last of his customers before locking the main doors and nipping down to the cellar. Whilst down there, he heard the unmistakable sound of the front door opening and closing. Assuming it was his brother-in-law, Iain called up to acknowledge him. Fully expecting to find Brian in the bar, Iain climbed the stairs. Upon reaching the top, he realised something strange was going on; the pub stood empty, just as Iain left it, no sign of anyone and no explanation for the sounds he’d heard just a minute or two before…

Following the team presentation, we’ll shine the spooky spotlight on our guests. You can’t beat a bit of interaction and we’ll be encouraging folk to reveal a few of their own haunting happenings. First-hand accounts are invaluable and we’ve lost count of all the varied and exciting reports shared with us over the years. We appreciate the continued support and enthusiasm shown by the public whose stories will form part of our ever-growing paranormal database.

Continuing on the interaction theme, guests will take part in a short ghost-hunting workshop where ideas and opinions will be actively promoted. The aim of this section is to stimulate discussion; we love to engage with participants and look forward to hearing how in theory, they would go about investigating an allegedly haunted location. The workshop will lead on to our event climax - a session of rod and crystal dowsing. Everyone will be invited to try their hand at this ancient art, an activity we’ve carried out previously and one that quite simply, fascinates…

Laura Marr, Events Manager at The Room is anticipating High Spirits with great excitement: “We’re buzzing at the prospect of an evening with Mostly Ghostly and can’t wait to hear about their eerie adventures. It’s great to be working together on this event and we’re sure the night will be a spooky success! We feel proud to be involved with Dumfries & Galloway Arts Festival and look forward to future partnerships with the Mostly Ghostly Team.”

Tickets are priced at £7, available at The Midsteeple Box Office in Dumfries. The event is suitable for young people aged 14 and above (young people under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by a responsible adult). For all enquiries, please contact the team through our website or by phoning 07791 047835 or 07912 145865. You can also FOLLOW us on Twitter and LIKE us on Facebook.