Halloween in Scotland 2024: Customs, Festivities & Heritage

Halloween in Scotland is a celebration rich in history, blending ancient Celtic customs with modern festivities. From the mystical Samhuinn Festival to age-old fortune-telling games, Scotland's Halloween traditions are unique, steeped in folklore, and offer insight into the country’s cultural evolution. This article explores the history, traditions, and modern-day celebrations of Halloween in Scotland.

As Christianity spread throughout Europe, the church integrated these pagan customs into its religious calendar. The Celtic festival of Samhain was merged with All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd), creating what we now know as All Hallows’ Eve or Halloween. Over time, the celebration evolved, but its connection to the spirit world and supernatural elements has remained a core part of the holiday in Scotland.

Historically, Halloween in Scotland has always been linked with the supernatural and mysterious. The ancient Celts who lived in Scotland over 2,000 years ago practiced various rituals to honor the spirits during Samhain. Bonfires were lit to scare off evil spirits, and villagers would wear costumes made from animal skins to disguise themselves.

During medieval times, Halloween became more associated with superstitions, witchcraft, and fortune-telling. In 1785, Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, wrote a poem titled Halloween, which detailed the customs of the time, many of which are still practiced today. The poem describes various fortune-telling games that young people would play on Halloween night to predict their future, particularly in matters of love.

Scotland's rich folklore plays a significant role in its Halloween celebrations. Many of the country’s legends involve supernatural beings, and these stories have been passed down for centuries, adding to the mystery of Halloween.

Witchcraft has a long and dark history in Scotland. During the 16th and 17th centuries, many women were accused of practicing witchcraft and were put on trial. The Witchcraft Act of 1735 outlawed witchcraft, and though the law remained on the books until the 1950s, many witch-related customs continued to influence Halloween celebrations in Scotland. 

Before pumpkins became the symbol of Halloween, Scots traditionally carved faces into turnips, known as "neep lanterns". These were meant to scare away evil spirits. While pumpkins are now widely used, the more traditional and labor-intensive task of carving turnips is still practiced in some parts of Scotland.

The Scottish tradition of "guising", where children dress in costumes and go door-to-door performing songs or tricks in exchange for treats, predates the American concept of trick-or-treating. Children are given sweets, fruits, or small coins in exchange for their performances.

Fortune-telling is an integral part of Scottish Halloween traditions. Games like "apple dookin’" (bobbing for apples) and "nut burning" (where nuts are burned in the fire to predict love outcomes) were popular ways for young people to predict their future. Kale pulling, another traditional game, involved pulling up a stalk of kale to foresee marriage prospects.

Barmbrack  is a traditional fruitcake that contains hidden charms, such as rings and coins. Each charm predicts a different aspect of the future. Finding a ring signifies impending marriage, while a coin predicts wealth.

Warm drinks like mulled cider and whisky are also standard during Halloween celebrations, especially as the chilly autumn weather sets in. These drinks are perfect for warming up after an evening of guising or ghost stories.

Today, Halloween in Scotland is celebrated with traditional customs and modern events. Here are some of the must-visit destinations for experiencing Halloween in Scotland.

The Samhuinn Fire Festival is one of Scotland’s most significant Halloween events, annually in Edinburgh. Organized by the Beltane Fire Society, this event reenacts the ancient Celtic rituals of Samhain, complete with fire performances, drumming, and theatrical representations of the battle between summer and winter.

Cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow offer ghost tours that take visitors through the most haunted locations in Scotland. Edinburgh, in particular, is famous for its haunted underground vaults and graveyards, where countless ghost sightings have been reported.

Scotland is home to numerous haunted castles, perfect for a Halloween visit. Stirling Castle and Edinburgh Castle both have long histories of ghost sightings, while Glamis Castle is known for its eerie legends, including the tale of the "Monster of Glamis".

Scotland’s rich history is filled with ghost stories that add to the spookiness of Halloween.

Edinburgh Castle is said to be haunted by the spirits of prisoners and soldiers who once lived and died within its walls. Visitors have reported hearing the eerie sounds of footsteps and whispers in the castle’s dungeons.

The site of the famous 1746 battle, Culloden Battlefield, is often associated with ghostly sightings. People claim to hear the cries of fallen soldiers, particularly on the anniversary of the battle.

Glamis Castle is home to some of Scotland’s most infamous ghost stories, including that of the Monster of Glamis, a deformed child said to have been hidden away in the castle by the family.

Scotland’s Halloween celebrations offer a rich tapestry of ancient Celtic customs, fortune-telling games, and spooky folklore, combined with modern-day festivities that appeal to all ages. Ready to experience the most authentic Halloween? Plan your October trip to Scotland and immerse yourself in centuries-old traditions and eerie celebrations.