There’s a distinct bite in the air as I write this blog and the crunchy fallen leaves have taken on a renewed sense of life as they swirl outside in vivid maelstroms. As the seasons shift and the evenings grow inky black, it’s nearly time to hollow the tumshies, pumpkins (or whichever vegetable you prefer!), dig out your guising gear and set the heart racing with Mostly Ghostly’s spine-tingling tours…

This Halloween, we are proud to present a chilling range of events to whet your appetite for the spookiest season of the year! We kick off our creepy capers on Saturday 25 October with an eerie storytelling tour out at the ragged remains of Lochmaben Castle. During your visit, you will learn a host of haunting tales covering local stories, myths, legends and eye-witness reports all complimented by the dramatic silhouette of this historic stronghold. And that’s not all… If you like to get a bit more hands on, then you’re going to love this event! Discover your ‘yes’ and ‘no’ response (and maybe something more!) with a lively rod and crystal dowsing session in the castle grounds and for the spook-tacular finale, join us in one of the castle’s most active locations for a full group vigil. Whilst on the subject of Lochmaben, did you read Dumfries & Galloway Life Magazine this month? Writer and Commissioning Editor, Andrea Thompson, wrote a ‘Seriously Spooky’ review of our latest tour at the castle which we’re incredibly proud of. Huge thanks to Andrea for attending and also to Allan Devlin for the wonderfully atmospheric shots he took during the tour!

On Thursday 30 October at 7:30pm (Halloween Eve) we’re visiting the Troqueer Arms Pub in Dumfries for an evening of High Spirits at The Room! We’ll be giving a talk on our project, investigations and experiences with a focus on ghostly reports from the pub itself. My cousin, Laura Finnigan and I have spoken about organising something up there for ages and over the years have enjoyed discussing the many weird events that have happened since my uncle, Iain Marr, took over the pub. This is a really special one for the team and we hope to stage future events in The Room’s Gothic-inspired grandeur. Apparitional sightings, moving furniture and phantom footsteps have been witnessed in what was once the old Mill owner’s house and we look forward to revealing details of these haunting happenings bathed in the ghostly glow of flickering candle-light - a night not to be missed!

Our annual double-whammy of Dumfries Ghost Walks will mark the big day itself - Friday 31 October, Halloween Night! Apart from being a topical time for ghosts and the otherworldly, this will celebrate Mostly Ghostly’s 6th birthday and the 4th anniversary of the ghost walk. Get your ghoulish glad-rags on for an evening of ghosts, ghouls, murder and witchcraft in the shadowy streets and claustrophobic closes of old Dumfries. Feel free to bring along your lanterns and a prize will be on offer for best fancy dress!

And just when you think it’s all over, we crank up the tension even further with a white-knuckle ride along what is believed to be Scotland’s most haunted road - the A75. On Saturday 1 November, the Haunted Highways coach trundles into town ready to take you on an unforgettable road-trip covering a range of paranormal hotspots on this terrifying thoroughfare. In actual fact, we’ve gathered so many stories, we can’t fit them all into the one tour, gives you a flavour of just how active this busy stretch really is! Hear accounts of roadside phantoms, spectral stagecoaches and a plethora of strange beings on the infamous Kinmount Straight. Add to that a chilling collection of stories from the local area and a close-call collision on Dumfries Bypass and you might just think twice about taking this route in future!

For full tour details, including times, booking info and frequently asked questions, please check out the dedicated tour sections on our site. Bookings for the Troqueer Arms event can be taken on the phone and simply pay on the door when you arrive. For all enquires, please contact the team through our website or by phoning 07791 047835 or 07912 145865. You can also follow us on Twitter.

Photo Credits: Dumfries Bypass by Night @averydarklight