Scotland is a place designed for a spooky season, from the gloomy fall weather, old stone buildings, eerie lochs, narrow streets and centuries of history. While I got to explore other smaller towns of Scotland – which I highly recommend – for this spooky season blog I will focus on how to get the spooky season feel from a stay on a loch, and exploring the streets of Edinburgh. In this blog I will also argue why sometimes those typical tourist traps can bring you so much joy!
The flight across the pond is not short, and sometimes you just need a day to unwind before your vacation starts. And to get into the full swing of things, I recommend staying at the Four Seasons Hotel in Perthshire. You will begin your stay at a quaint little inn with phenomenal food, in a quiet town, right on a loch. As night approaches you are transcended into a spooky movie, the roads are dark, there is fog rolling off the loch, and there is silence all around you. This allows for a perfect first couple of nights to relax, and immerse yourself into the spooky beauty Scotland has to offer. Maybe you will even witness the lochness monster from your bedroom window peaking its head out one late night.
Then make your way back into the city, to explore Edinburgh and where the history comes to life. You will get to experience castles, narrow closes, and the Royal Mile. Harry Potter fan? Go walk the cobblestone of Victoria Street, and feel like you are being transported to Diagon Alley. Wander and enjoy the architecture of the city, for me the architecture alone felt dark, and somewhat spooky without even trying.
If you’ve been following along for a while now, you know I love a good ghost tour. In Edinburgh, take the time to do the tour for The Real Mary King’s Close, and be taken back in time. You will learn about the Black Death, Dr. George Rae and the iconic bird doctor suit, and feel the darkness and sadness in the tight living quarters. While I enjoy a good ghost story, you will learn of the truths many experienced during the Black Death, and you will do it as you walk through what is deemed one of the most haunted places in Scotland.
Does the dark medical history intrigue you? On your flight over, begin listening to podcasts on the history of grave-robbing, anatomy schools, and Edinburgh’s reputation for body-snatching. If you are still intrigued, stop by Greyfriars Kirkyard to view historic locations of these sites.
To finish off your days in Edinburgh and if you want to recap the spooky stories you have just been told, find a bar hidden away in the underground vaults, or make your way over to the Frankenstein Bar for a spooky, yet upbeat experience. With fun music, neon lights, and Frankenstein rising it will be a bar that makes the spooky trip that much better. I of course tried The Black Death cocktail to stay in theme.
At no point during this trip did I feel unsafe, but some practical things that I experienced will be the tips I provide today. Of course always, secure your phone, and keep wallets and valuables out of your back pockets. The roads were the biggest safety concern! Wet cobblestone, extremely steep roads, and it gets somewhat dark at night. Be prepared in good shoes, and have a way to get home planned ahead of time. As always stay aware in tourist areas, and keep an eye on your drink at all times.
Overall, Scotland is a MUST, for a spooky season trip. The history, weather, landscape, architecture, the legends, and old streets already create a spooky atmosphere. Would you all like to hear about the smaller towns we got to explore in Scotland that could be great for a spooky trip, or any time of the year?
Leave a Reply