The old Cruck Cottage in Torthorwald with its crooked beams, thatched roof, and smoky chimney is the perfect place to visit for Halloween. You can just imagine it being the home of a witch from a fairy tale, and there were plenty of folk in the past who thought witches danced in the lanes of the village.
This year, in the daylight from 11am-3pm on Saturday 31st October, there will be a chance for families to enjoy some Halloween fun with a range of activities including spooky storytelling, a scavenger hunt for petrifying pebbles, and creepy decoration making. The very popular potion making will also return, using weird and wonderful ingredients to create colour changes, fizzes, and pops. There’s no need to book for these activities, just turn up, and they are free of charge, though donations towards the upkeep of the historic cottage are always gratefully appreciated.
Then at 7pm, the Cruck Cottage once again hosts a traditional Sowen Nicht by the light of the peat fire and lamplight. There will be a witch’s brew of eerie tales, traditional tunes, folklore, and the various ways people tried to foretell the future at this time of year. The Halloween celebrations of centuries past will be evoked in the unique atmospheric setting of the cottage. The evening event is for adults and children over 14. Tickets to this very special event are limited in number, and should be purchased in advance at £8 per person. Bookings open soon.