Category: Clermiston

An international team of volunteers transforms Edinburgh’s historic Barnton Bunker into a handcrafted world of Scottish folklore, theatrical storytelling and unexpected encounters — all to help restore the historic site.

This Halloween season, a dedicated team of local and international volunteers is bringing Scottish mythology, history and imagination to life in one of Edinburgh’s most unusual settings.

Running from 20–30 October 2026, Greyfriar’s Bobby & William Wallace vs THE HAGGIS is a volunteer-created immersive storytelling adventure that invites visitors to journey through a series of handcrafted environments inspired by Scotland’s rich folklore and cultural heritage.

Set within the atmospheric surroundings of Barnton Bunker, a former military complex, the experience combines live characters, imaginative handmade scenery, creative lighting and sound, humour, suspense and moments of fright.

While the event embraces the spirit of Halloween, it offers something beyond the conventional haunted house. Rather than focusing solely on scares, the production places storytelling, character, artistic creativity and audience discovery at its heart.

Every environment has been imagined and brought to life by volunteers, transforming the bunker into a fantastical world where visitors encounter legendary creatures, unexpected heroes and an unfolding story.

A World Built by Volunteers

What makes this production particularly special is the people behind it.

Led by returning volunteer, artist and storyteller Jean Paul Archambeault, the experience has been imagined, designed and constructed from the ground up by a passionate team of volunteers from Scotland and around the world.

Working with salvaged and repurposed materials, and with limited resources, volunteers have spent countless hours crafting scenery, creating props, developing characters and transforming the former military complex into a series of fantastical environments.

The project celebrates what can be achieved through imagination, collaboration and community participation, demonstrating that memorable artistic experiences do not necessarily require large budgets or commercial production teams.

Each room represents another chapter in the unfolding story, inviting visitors to encounter characters and creatures drawn from Scotland’s rich mythological traditions.

The result is a production that reflects not only Scotland’s cultural heritage, but also the creativity, dedication and diverse perspectives of the international volunteers who have helped bring it to life.

Scottish Heroes, Mythical Creatures and a Very Mysterious Haggis

At the heart of the adventure is an unusual alliance between two of Scotland’s most recognisable figures: national hero William Wallace and Edinburgh’s beloved Greyfriar’s Bobby.

An ancient ritual known as The Feast has awakened a mysterious force. Under the influence of the enigmatic Haggis, creatures from Scottish folklore have emerged from their realms, threatening to disrupt the balance between humanity and the natural world.

Visitors journey through imaginative settings inspired by these legends, including:

• An atmospheric ocean cave inhabited by a mysterious selkie.
• A castle realm associated with the sinister redcap.
• An enchanted woodland inhabited by the Ghillie Dhu and the faeries.
• A war-torn Highland landscape haunted by a wolfman and the spirits of fallen Scottish warriors.

Through live characters, handcrafted scenery, atmospheric effects and storytelling, the bunker becomes a theatrical landscape where folklore, history, fantasy and humour intertwine.

Although the experience includes spooky encounters and moments of suspense, the emphasis is on immersive storytelling and the creativity of the volunteers, rather than scares alone.

The production deliberately combines darker themes with moments of playfulness and humour, creating an experience that is imaginative, entertaining and occasionally thought-provoking.

Bringing New Life to a Historic Bunker

The event takes place within the former Second World War RAF Fighter Command Operations complex at Barnton, a site with a fascinating military history and an ongoing programme of restoration.

Proceeds from the event will support the restoration of damaged sections of the bunker and contribute towards the ambition of developing the site as a distinctive space for arts, cultural activities, community gatherings and creative events.

The project is about more than preserving a historic building. It is also about creating opportunities for people from different backgrounds to collaborate, share skills, make art and bring new life to an extraordinary Edinburgh landmark.

Through this volunteer-led initiative, the bunker becomes both a place of historical significance and a living space for contemporary creativity.

The event demonstrates how heritage conservation, community volunteering and the arts can work together, creating something meaningful for both the people involved and the wider public.

An Invitation to Experience Something Different

Greyfriar’s Bobby & William Wallace vs THE HAGGIS offers an unusual opportunity to experience Scottish storytelling in a setting unlike any other!

Contact barntonbunky@gmail.com