The Home of Halloween, the Edinburgh Dungeons, is inviting guests to witness its new spine-tingling show, ‘The Death Cell’.
Running from 7th October until Halloween, the limited-time show transports guests back 100 years to October 1923, when the last prisoner was hung in Edinburgh’s notorious Calton Jail.
Traitors will immerse themselves in some of the most horrifying history as they delve into the dark and dreary past of the imposing fortress, with some of the worst conditions ever encountered in prisons. But beware, as the bodies of ten souls, which were left to rot under the foundations of the building, are still buried under the stones to this day!
Peasants can expect blood-curling frights, eerie occurrences and spectacular special effects as the stories of these fateful souls who haunt the prison walls play out in front of their eyes.
The Edinburgh Dungeons is renowned for taking guests deep into the depths of Edinburgh’s local history, and this spine-tingling show is set to provide another fearsome fright!
Simon Beattie, General Manager at The Edinburgh Dungeons, said: “The Dungeons are known as being the home of Halloween and this year is no different. We’re offering our most haunting show yet with The Death Cell.
“Traitors who dare to visit the Dungeons during Halloween will need nerves of steel as they are transported to Edinburgh’s eerie Calton Jail to face the wrath of the ten trapped souls.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming peasants to this devilishly dark experience, whether or not they make it out is yet to be decided!”
For further information and to book a visit to The Edinburgh Dungeons and watch The Death Cell, please visit the website here:
Family-friendly farm village, Craigies Farm in South Queensferry, is welcoming the arrival of October by inviting some spooky visitors to its pumpkin fields!
The popular day-out destination will once again open its popular pick-your-own pumpkin patch on October 1st, and new for this year will also host two Halloween-themed events out in the fields too!
The ‘Spooky Days’ daytime event is perfect for families with younger children, while the nighttime ‘Haunted Tunnels‘ have slightly more scares suitable for older children and families.
Both events will feature a spooky cast of roaming characters, spine-tingling props, interactive games, storytellers and at night time, there will be fantastic illuminated light shows too!
Craigies Farm is super excited to announce that we have not one, but TWO fang-tastic new Halloween events to enjoy this spooky season at Craigies!
In addition to our popular pumpkin patch, we will have a daytime event for younger children, the Spooky Tunnels, plus a scarier nighttime event for older children and adults, the terrifying Tunnels of Terror!
During the day, the ‘Spooky Tunnels’ will offer little frights tailored for younger visitors and those with additional needs. Meet a cast of colourful characters, play scarily good games and hear tales from our spooky storytellers.
As night falls, the fear factor rises, turning the Spooky Tunnels into the ‘Tunnels of Terror’ – perfect for older kids and adults. Expect creepy costumed characters roaming the fields, and a series of immersive themed tunnels – PLUS, we are also adding a brand new after-dark illuminated experience, offering boo-tiful photo opportunities!
Two new limited-edition tours bring to life Edinburgh’s history
Halloween lovers need look no further than The Real Mary King’s Close, one of the UK’s top-rated experiences on TripAdvisor, for the perfect way to celebrate the ominous side of Edinburgh’s past this October.
Two popular experiences, Lantern Led Tours and True Crime Tours, return to shine a light into the dark about the lives of former residents and unravel truths about their deaths… for those willing to descend onto Mary King’s Close at night!
The True Crimes Tour offers visitors the chance to explore the history of real offences committed on Mary King’s Close and its neighbouring areas. For years, the closes of the Old Town have been shrouded in shocking tales of crime and punishment: but this 1-hour social history tour is a chance to gain a more investigative insight into the nature of Edinburgh’s criminal activity.
With a special “True Crimes” guide to lead you on your journey through Edinburgh’s forgotten streets, discover how the people of the closes were just as compelled by the dark details of criminal misdemeanours as we are today.
The tour will delve into the reign of James VI, the rise of the witch trials, and what this meant for ordinary people living on Mary King’s Close. Confronting themes such as eviction, addiction, and the lack of legislation in place to protect residents, examine how real crimes affected life in the vicinity throughout the centuries.
Also, discover the intriguing link that Mary King’s Close has to the infamous character that likely inspired The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This a tour for only for the most undaunted visitors.
The Lantern Led Tours will shine a light (or lack of) onto Edinburgh’s history, illuminating the lives and deaths of former residents throughout time. Guests will descend into complete darkness, with the only light source being the flicker of their lanterns, as they explore The Close and meet two, interactive characters along the way. Visitors will need to brave stepping into the underground to experience history as it was lived… with all the lights off.
Paul Nixon, General Manager at The Real Mary King’s Close, said: “The Real Mary King’s Close is a place filled with excitement and mystery, but Edinburgh’s ominous past means we also have the perfect tales to tell this Halloween.
“We are excited to launch our Lantern Led Tours and True Crime Tours and elevate the experience to a whole new level. This is a great activity to do with family and friends over Halloween, so come along and find out who is the bravest of the bunch!”
The Real Mary King’s Close stands as an important part of Edinburgh’s history. It teaches the following generations about the incredible struggles people faced during the plague, the extreme living conditions, and the punishing impact of social hierarchy.
The Lantern Led Tours will be running Friday 13th to Tuesday 31st October, and will take place from 7pm-9pm every 15 minutes (extended to 10pm 26th – 31st). Prices are £28 per adult / £21 per child (5 to 15yo – no under 5 allowed).
True Crime Tours will be running Friday 13th to Tuesday 31st October, and will take place 6pm, 7.30pm and 9pm Fri / Sat / Sun and 7.30pm and 9pm Mon – Thurs. Prices are £25 per ticket.
Garden centre unveils magical holiday club store for children in its Edinburgh store
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is embracing the spirit of Halloween with its Little Seedlings Holiday Club workshop in its Edinburgh store, with a look at mystical plants and their extraordinary powers.
Tailored for Dobbies’ Little Seedlings Club members aged 4-10, this interactive workshop is filled with fun activities to help children appreciate their natural environment.
Under the guidance of Dobbies’ horticultural experts, young gardening witches and wizards-in-training will embark on a journey through time. They will uncover ways in which ancient cultures used plants for their mystical properties. For example, the ancient Greeks and Romans believed that Rosemary could enhance memory retention and the ancient Egyptians thought Verbena could ward off evil spells.
Children in Edinburgh will explore the fascinating world of medicinal plants, such as the Evening Primrose and Dandelion, uncover the secrets of their potent healing qualities, and dare to venture into the realm of the most poisonous plants, like the Deadly Nightshade and White Snakeroot.
Games and activities will spark the imagination of the children, where they will get a chance to brew a magical potion, cast a spell of their own, and craft magical plant charms to proudly take home as cherished mementos.
Dobbies’ Community and CSR Communications Executive, Chloë Bell, said: “We are very excited to welcome children to this workshop in our Edinburgh store during the October break.
“Our Little Seedlings Holiday Club gives attendees a chance to make friends and learn something new, and we hope to nurture the next generation of gardening enthusiasts in a playful and informative setting.
“We believe that learning should be fun, and that’s why we’ve incorporated engaging games and activities that will ignite children’s imagination. From potion-brewing to crafting magical plant charms, this workshop will encourage creativity and a hands-on connection with the natural world.”
A new book from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh extols botanical medicine and herbal remedy making
The practice of referencing and using nature to create remedies, recipes and therapeutic preparations has been around for thousands of years. Over time, our knowledge of the more traditional ‘green pharmacy’ of this sort has diminished. Yet today herbology, the study of herbs, is enjoying a renaissance as reconnecting with nature and sustainability surges.
To coincide with this renaissance, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will publish Herbology – A Physic Garden Pharmacy, a beautiful, hard-back book filled with natural remedies and recipes, and showcasing the best practices on gathering ingredients and safely preparing them. The book, written by herbologist Catherine Conway Payne, will publish on October 31.
Much more than a recipe and remedy book, Herbology is also a history of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, a place where medicinal plants have been grown for hundreds of years, for the benefit of the medical profession and their patients.
The book references four other publications which date from the origins of the Garden in the 17th century. One, the Edinburgh Pharmacopoeia (1699), was discovered in the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Originally published in Latin, the contents of the Pharmacopoeia have remained relatively inaccessible to most for over 300 years.
However – with the kind assistance of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the dedicated work of one research associate from the Garden, Robert Mill – the work in its entirety has now been translated into English; several extracts of which are being shared, for the first time, within the pages of this book.
Author Catherine Conway-Payne said: “It was an absolute joy to delve in to the Pharmacopoeia and discover which medicinal plants were being grown in Edinburgh during the latter part of the 17th century, which may be regarded as something of a golden age of herbalism.
“Then, the worlds of plants and medicine were closely aligned and it has been fascinating to find out that some recipes have not changed at all and that others contained extraordinary ingredients such as powdered toad, mouse droppings and even spider’s webs. Readers of Herbology will be relieved that our modern-day holistic formulations have omitted these from their list of ingredients.”
There are many precious botanicals within the pages of Herbology – among them nettle, dandelion, wild garlic and winter blooming witch hazel. Organised by the seasons, the book is filled with recipes and remedies and readers will join Catherine on a journey into ‘green pharmacy’ making special botanical creams, green ointments, herbal honeys, syrups, juices and teas along the way.
Catherine continued: “So much has been lost and forgotten over the years but we have been enjoying a real resurgence of interest in herbology recently. Our herbology courses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh have become incredibly popular and we are thrilled to now offercertifciates and diplomas in the subject.
“There has never been more desire to study all things ‘green’ and to learn how to work as one with nature, understand the precious therapeutic potentials of medicinal plants and nurture the earth that sustains them.
“The very nature of herbology is so expansive that once you are immersed within this facet of botanical learning you cannot help but become more aware of its inherently curative and dynamic spirit.
“For generations to come, perhaps this age in time might be viewed as a period of great holistic change and life sustaining initiative.”
Herbology is illustrated by botanical artist Jacqui Pestell and contains evocative photography by Kate Soltan. It is published by the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on October 31 and is available to pre-order now.
Garden Centre to host children’s pumpkin themed event
Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is inviting children in Edinburgh to its great value Little Scare-lings event this Halloween, guaranteed to get them feeling pumpkin-tastic with a treasure trove of family-friendly activities.
Available in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store between 26-29 October, Little Scare-lings is guaranteed to get everyone in the spine-chilling spirit. Great for kids aged 3-10, this event is action-packed and has something special in store for those hunting for the perfect pumpkin to take home and carve.
Kids can also strut their spooky style and take part in the garden centre’s annual scare-a-thon to be in the chance of winning a prize for the best dressed.
Little Scare-ling attendees will sink their fangs into Halloween treats, pumpkin-themed activities and games.
With plenty options for even the fussiest trick-or-treaters, children will have the choice of fish fingers, chicken nuggets or plant based goujons, served with chips and garden peas, or a cheese and tomato pizza with vegetable sticks.
Adults can enjoy a selection of soup and sandwich pairings or a slice of cake. Sticky chocolate orange, blueberry Victoria sponge or a nutty coffee and walnut cake ensure the parents are spoilt for choice.
Families will be invited to visit Dobbies’ very own miniature pumpkin patch. Here children can take a pumpkin home, carve it up using Dobbies’ guide and create their own personalised pumpkin for welcoming trick-or-treaters.
Sarah Murray, who created this year’s event, loves Halloween and can’t wait to welcome Little Scare-lings along for the event. She said: “We’re really excited about this year’s Halloween event in Edinburgh and warmly welcome kids of all ages to get involved with our pumpkin extravaganza.
“These events are always extremely popular with our regular Little Seedling Club attendees, so please book in advance to save any disappointment. It’s a fang-tastic way for families to get together this Halloween.”
Tickets for Little Scare-lings are now available for Dobbies’ Club Members, priced at £9.99 per child and from £3.95 for adult tickets, which officially go on sale to all customers from 5 September.
For more information about how to take part in Dobbies’ Little Scare-lings afternoon event, visit Events | Dobbies Garden Centres.
Craigies Farm, the much-loved family friendly destination in South Queensferry, has launched new Halloween events for this October, alongside their popular pick-your-own pumpkins.
Halloween at Craigies will feature the return of their pumpkin patch, with views over the picturesque South Queensferry countryside. New for this year, the fields will also feature ‘Tunnels of Terror’, providing frights and spooky fun for the whole family! Costumed characters will provide fun scares throughout the themed tunnels to provide a truly immersive experience.
During the day, in addition to the pumpkin patch, the Spooky Tunnels will offer little frights designed especially with younger visitors and those with additional support needs in mind. Meet a cast of colourful characters, hear tales from our spooky storyteller, take part in ghoulish games, snap some photos with creepy props and enjoy a spectacular sensory light experience.
As the sun goes down the fear factor creeps up, and at night the Spooky Tunnels become the Tunnels of Terror. Designed for older children and adults, these fun scares will keep the entire family on their toes and crying with laughter!
In the evening, we are also adding a brand new after-dark illuminated experience. From spiders and scarecrows to skeletons and ghosts, there’s plenty to get you into the Halloween spirit. Join us for a pumpkin picking adventure in our eerie patch, brave the Tunnels of Terror filled with fun scares for all ages, meet a range of scary characters waiting in the shadows, and take boo-tiful family photos at our illuminated photo opps.
Created in partnership with NL Productions, the team behind the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle and Edinburgh Zoo’s Spooktacular and Christmas Nights, visitors can be assured of a high-quality immersive event experience.
The daytime Spooky Tunnels and evening Tunnels of Terror events will run on selected dates starting from 13th October.
The pumpkin fields will be open for the month of October, with tickets being released weekly depending on availability.
Tickets for the events and pumpkin picking can be booked online at: craigies.co.uk
Craigies Farm Owner John Sinclair commented:“Our pumpkin patch has always been popular, but we are taking it to the next level with our exciting new Halloween events this year. With both day and night time events taking place, there truly is something for every family, no matter hold old the kids are.
“The illuminations will be a spectacular sight and we can’t wait to see our fields transformed – we are expecting tickets to fly out the door, so I would recommend booking early to secure your visit.”
Phil O’Halloran, Managing Director at NL Productions added:“NL Productions are hugely excited to be working with Craigies to deliver what will be an amazing Halloween experience for all the family. Craigies is a wonderful visitor attraction, offering a great family day out.
“We admire their high level of customer service and provenance. Being able to bring our events expertise to the table and work together to take the existing Halloween offering to the next level will be thrilling and we can’t wait for families to come and experience it!”
Carving pumpkins can be a fun activity if done safely. Below are some tips detailing how to safely carve a pumpkin, what to do if you injure yourself whilst carving, as well as safer alternatives for younger children:
The scariest day of the year can become all the more menacing if injuries and allergic reactions strike. With this in mind, education experts at Skillstg.co.uk have outlined preventative measures and solutions to five potential Halloween dangers.
Carve your pumpkin carefully
Make sure your pumpkin and your tools are dry: Using sharp tools when your hands are wet could result in slipping and injuring your hands.
Always supervise children: Even if you trust your child to be careful with pumpkin carving tools, it is worth always keeping an eye on them as a safe option to avoid injury.
Use a pumpkin carving kit: Whilst you may think that a sharp knife or a scalpel will do a better job cutting through the thick pumpkin skin, it only takes one slip of the hand to cut yourself. Pumpkin carving kits usually have a blunt tip with a serrated edge that is not capable of causing a deep, penetrating cut.
If you accidentally cut yourself, apply direct pressure on the wound to stop the bleeding. Rinse the wound under running tap water for 5 minutes. Soak a gauze pad or cloth in water, or use an alcohol-free wipe to dab the wound. It is best to avoid using antiseptic cream at this point as it may damage the skin. Gently pat the area dry with a cloth; don’t use cotton wool, as the material can become trapped in the wound. Apply a sterile dressing, such as a plaster or bandage, and continue to apply pressure if the injury is still bleeding.
A safer alternative for younger children may be to glue googly eyes and various foam shapes to the pumpkin’s surface. This allows your children to get creative without the fear of injury.
Remove coloured contact lenses safely
Sometimes, a colourful pair of spooky contact lenses can make your costume really stand out. However, there are some serious risks associated with wearing them. Below are some health and safety tips for those who might want to wear lenses this year:
Wash your hands thoroughly before inserting contact lenses: This will reduce the risk of harmful bacteria reaching your lens and eyes.
Put your contact lenses in before applying your makeup: Eye irritations and infections can be caused by applying lenses covered in makeup.
If you notice that your contact lenses appear damaged, do not wear them: A damaged contact lens can scratch and damage the surface of your cornea.
Check the packet for the recommended wearing time: Make sure you only wear your coloured contact lenses for the recommended time and do not sleep in them. If you accidentally fall asleep with the contact lenses still on your eyes, the contact lenses can cut off the supply of oxygen to the eye and lead to an eye condition called Corneal Neovascularization; this can threaten your vision.
If you are struggling to remove your lenses, with your non-dominant hand, hold open the lower and upper eyelid of your eye and use your index finger and thumb to pinch the contact lens gently. Pinch either side of the contact lens and pull it away from your eye, being careful not to pinch your eye directly.
Remove makeup and face paint
It can be tempting to purchase cheap makeup or face paint to create bright and colourful looks for Halloween. However, these cheaper products can lead to itching, rashes, breakouts, and irritation. Below are ways to avoid adverse makeup issues:
Purchase high-quality makeup and face paint: Some cheaper brands of makeup and face paint contain artificial colours, fragrances, waxes, and oils that can block pores and cause severe allergic reactions. Consider using your regular makeup with the addition of colourful eye shadows instead of opting for thick and heavy face paint.
Prepare your skin correctly: It is essential to apply a moisturiser before applying makeup to keep the skin hydrated. Using a moisturiser will also protect your skin from becoming clogged up with makeup, making it easier to remove later.
Remove makeup before you go to bed: Whether you opt for high or low-quality makeup, it is essential to remove it before going to sleep. Makeup left on for more than 12 hours can clog your pores and cause spots and breakouts. Use an oil-based cleanser or coconut oil to rub away the makeup gently. Follow this with a gentle foaming cleanser that will remove any excess product.
Remove all makeup immediately if you have an allergic reaction or irritation to your Halloween makeup. If there is slight itching or irritation, you should feel better once the makeup has been washed off. If irritant contact dermatitis is present, patches of itchy and scaly skin or blistering rashes, this can be treated with over-the-counter creams containing steroids.
Check sweets for allergens
Sweets and chocolate are a big part of Halloween. For known food allergy sufferers, it is imperative to be vigilant when consuming sweets you haven’t purchased or made yourself. Below is a list of safety tips:
Check the labels: It may seem an obvious tip, but for parents with children with food allergies, the best way to avoid an allergic reaction is to check the label for allergens before the child has a chance to eat it. This is especially the case if a child is out trick-or-treating and is presented with lots of tempting treats by neighbours and strangers. Be aware that even sweets that don’t have a particular allergen listed in the ingredients can have trace amounts of common allergy triggers.
Avoid cross-contamination: If a child with a food allergy is attending a Halloween party, it is best for the parent to make this known to the host and advise how to reduce cross-contamination of any foods containing allergens.
Turn down home-baked treats: Whether you suffer from a food allergy or have a child who does, it is always safest to omit homemade food. Despite what the food maker may tell you about the ingredients, it is always safest not to take the risk of eating something with unknown ingredients.
Plan alternatives to trick-or-treating: Pumpkin decorating contests, costume competitions and Halloween-themed games are great alternatives to knocking door-to-door for treats.
If you see that someone has an allergic reaction, it may be the case to provide the person with an antihistamine if a mild reaction is evident. However, if the person appears to be having trouble breathing, their airway is swelling, and they need immediate medical attention. If the person has an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) on their person and cannot administer it themselves, follow these steps:
Have someone call an ambulance
Take the EpiPen out of its package
Remove the blue safety cap
Hold the EpiPen in your fist, careful not to hold the orange end containing the needle.
Push the end with the needle firmly against the person’s thigh (clothed or bare), roughly halfway between the hip and knee. Inject the medicine into the fleshy part of the thigh- avoid injecting directly into a vein or the buttocks.
Hold the EpiPen in place for at least three seconds so that all of the medicine can be injected
Pull the pen straight up to remove the needle. A protective shield will cover the needle as soon as it is removed.
Place the injector back into its package and present it to the paramedic when they arrive.
Make costumes visible to motorists
A 2018 study by Churchill Insurance revealed that the risk of children being involved in a traffic collision on the 31st of October increased by 75%. As the evenings become dark and spooky, so do costumes and clothes this Halloween. It is essential to make sure that you, and your children, can be seen clearly when trick-or-treating to prevent car accidents. Drivers should also ensure they are vigilant on the 31st of October in case visibility is reduced by dark-clothed people crossing the roads. Below are some tips on how to make a costume more visible to motorists:
Use a torch when walking around at night: This will not only help you or a child see where they are going, but a torch will help to illuminate themselves as motorists drive by.
Apply reflective tape: Placing reflective tape on the front and back of a Halloween costume will help make you more visible to drivers.
Use glowsticks: Wearing glowsticks or incorporating them into your costume is a colourful way to become visible when crossing roads in the dark.
If you see someone get hit by a car, immediately call 999 and ask for an ambulance. If the affected person is conscious and appears not to be in great pain, advise them to keep still.
Keep them warm until the paramedics arrive. If a more severe collision has occurred and the casualty has become unconscious but still breathing, roll them carefully into the recovery position with assistance from others, and wait for paramedics to arrive.
A spokesperson from Skillstg.co.uk commented: “Halloween hazards have become a reality for many over the years, but they can be prevented by taking the proper precautions.
“Health and safety risks associated with decorations, costumes and treats are all preventable by being extra careful and vigilant, especially when protecting children.
“With the excitement of dressing up and collecting free sweets, children often forget to watch out for dangers when out trick-or-treating. Parents of young children should accompany them and dress them in costumes that will appear bright and visible to motorists.”
Skills Training Group are the UK’s leading first aid training, electrical and heating courses for adults, contractors & companies alike.
It’s Halloween tomorrow and car buyer Goodbye Car has researched and created an EV-friendly horror movie road trip, for those looking to be spooked!
EV-friendly horror movie road trip
Location and film:
Culzean Castle, Ayrshire, Scotland –The Wicker Man
Tantallon Castle, Lothian, Scotland – Under The Skin
South Bay Beach, Scarborough, England – St Maud
Westminster Bridge, London, England – 28 Days Later
All Saints Church, Fulham, England – The Omen
Crickadarn Village, Wales – American Werewolf in London
Total length: 743 miles Estimated time taken: 14 hours 52 minutes EV Charge Stops: 6
Recommended EV charging stops
Miles Between
Charge Remaining
Address
Stop 1
142 miles
29%
Grantshouse Village Mansefield, TD11 3RN
Stop 2
118 miles
22%
Lidl, North Ormesby, TS3 8AL
Stop 3
112 miles
24%
Hatfields Pub & Restaurant, DN7 6JH
Stop 4
115 miles
23%
Harvester Grange Park, NN4 5EZ
Stop 5
112 miles
25%
M4 Services Reading (West), RG30 3UQ
Stop 6
111 miles
25%
Morrisons Abergavenny, NP7 5TR
Destination
26 miles
67%
Builth Wells LD2 3PJ
GoodBye Car’s comprehensive guide covers film locations for the likes of Harry Potter, James Bond and many more. They also cover the scenes that were filmed there, how many miles your trip will be, and where you can charge your EV along the way.
