Get in the Halloween spirit on The Malt Whisky Trail
It’s spooky season here at The Malt Whisky Trail. So celebrate the dark nights and the ghostly goings-on, with the perfect Halloween activities here in Moray Speyside.
Elgin Ghost Tours
Learn all about Elgin’s haunted history with Elgin Ghost Tours. From graveyards to witches, you’ll learn all about the otherworldly side to Moray’s capital. Tours are running regularly throughout October, and pre-booking is advised.
Halloween Fright Night at Brodie Castle
Ever wanted to roam a haunted castle late at night? Brodie Castle is opening the doors over Halloween weekend to allow guests to roam the grounds and get to know the residents (living and otherwise). With fiendish tricksters, and the start of Brodie Castle’s Festival of Illuminations, it’s a fun and frightening way to spend the evening. Book your ticket in advance.
Fright Night at Elgin Town Hall
A spooky adventure suitable for all the family, Fright Night is celebrating all things Halloween. There are prizes for the best costume too, so don’t forget to dress up. Book your ticket today.
Meet the real Macbeth
Did you know that Macbeth is partially set in Moray Speyside? That’s right, the spookiest of Shakespeare’s plays owes its inspiration to our dramatic surroundings. King Duncan’s castle is in Forres, and the three witches meet Macbeth and Banquo on a hill just outside the town in the third scene. But better still, is that the real life Macbeth was the Lord of the Mormaerdom – the medieval Kingdom of Moray. The remains of a fortress thought to be connected to him were found on Cluny Hill, and the Pictish Sueno Stone would have stood in the area during his lifetime. All hail Macbeth!
Halloween Spirit
And remember no trip to The Malt Whisky Trail would be complete without a visit to one, or more, of our partner sites.
Local legend has it that there are kelpies in the Broomhill Spring, the water sourced used by Strathisla Distillery. The dark, horse-like spirits reside in lochs and rivers and are said to lure unsuspecting humans down to the watery depths, so watch out for them on your next visit.
We even have our very own ‘ghost’ distillery on The Trail. Although that doesn’t mean that the stills are operated by spectres. A ghost distillery is one that no longer produces whisky, meaning any whisky left in stock becomes increasingly rare and valuable. Dallas Dhu is one such ghost, and although it’s still shut due to COVID-19, you can learn more about it on our website.
Whichever site you choose to visit this Halloween, however, you can be sure to meet some spirits – even if they’re just the kind that come out of a cask and into a bottle of whisky.