Where better to spend a night of spooky merrymaking than in Edinburgh – purportedly the most haunted city in not just Scotland or the UK but the whole of Europe. From ghost stories to frightfully fun parties, here’s a roundup of some this great city’s best Halloween events and activities.

The Edinburgh Secret Society’s Fright Night

The Edinburgh Secret Society “organizes events for those of a curious disposition. These include verbal, theatrical and experimental presentations intended to inform, entertain and bewilder.” For Halloween 2013, the ESS will stage a “not for the faint hearted” event offering attendees an opportunity to “a real ghost, witness previously unseen footage of genuine psychic ability, contact a spirit celebrity, sacrifice a virgin and summon the devil.” This Fright Night happens on the;28th;of October at Edinburgh University’s Anatomy Lecture theatre. Find out more at edinburghsecretsociety.wordpress.com.

Halloween Hearth Fires – Storytelling Festival Finale Fright Night at the Scottish Storytelling Centre

halloween pumpkin in fire

The Scottish International Storytelling Festival is a ten-day celebration of oral heritage in its traditional and contemporary contexts that takes place every autumn around Halloween. On Sunday the 27th of October, the Storytelling Centre will become a haven for “Music, Ghostburgers and Guisers” during its Halloween Hearth Fires event with fire displays in the garden and ghost tours of John Knox House and a range of other fun activities lined up. For details visit;scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk.

Haunted Halloween with Mercat Tours

From Friday the 25th of October to Saturday the 2nd of November, Mercat Tour’s “Haunted Halloween” will explore the famous haunted Blair Street Underground Vaults of Edinburgh by candle-light while sharing tales of Edinburgh’s “sinister and unsavoury past.” These late night tours are not suitable for children. Advanced booking is strongly advised. Go to;mercattours.com for details.

The Home of Halloween at the Edinburgh Dungeon

The family-friendly Edinburgh Dungeon is one of the most popular attractions in Scotland. For Halloween, the Dungeon pulls out all the stops with a “Pumpkin-tastic Dungeon”, 11 shows – including one brand NEW show just for Halloween, the chance to “meet the Druids of the Votadini tribe and learn about the roots of Halloween, Edinburgh’s only themed Shop of Horrors “crammed full of gifts and goodies to create your own Halloween fun and mischief” and more. Visit the Dungeon online at;thedungeons.com/edinburgh.

Monster Week at the Frankenstein Pub

The world famous Frankenstein pub located along the historic George IV Bridge will celebrate its 13th annual Halloween party with a “full week of spooky madness casting away all traces of solemnity”. Visit frankensteinedinburgh.co.uk for more information.

The Real Mary King’s Close Dark Truth Tour

Dark secrets await below Edinburgh’s Royal Mile.

Fringe Festival sell out sensation – The Real Mary King’s Close Dark Truth Tour – returns for one night only (October 31st) to descend into the warren of underground streets beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile where visitors will encounter “haunting characters who once roamed Edinburgh’s Old Town from the 16th to the 21st century”.  Not for the little ones, this interactive tour will reveal the “whole truth behind the myths and mysteries that shroud Edinburgh’s hidden city” with tales of plague and pestilence and murder. Good times! Go to realmarykingsclose.com for more information.

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