Illustration of a witch's cauldron
2. THE SPICE WITCH, EAST LOTHIAN
Combining the finest of Scottish ingredients, with a touch of magic of course, The Spice Witch conjures up a range of award-winning artisanal chutneys, relishes and mustards.
Whet your palette with an intriguing blend of flavours – from the aromatic mango and chilli chutney to the sweet and tangy smoky tomato relish – each one is guaranteed to turn heads and has already won five Great Taste Awards to date.
The Spice Witch is based in East Lothian but stock their tasty products in delicatessens and independent shops across Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, Dunbar, Edinburgh, Fife, Haddington, Isle of Mull, Jedburgh, and Lairg, to name a few.
Beltane Fire Festival
5. BELTANE FIRE FESTIVAL, EDINBURGH
This annual festival takes a deep dive into Scotland’s traditions during the Celtic lunar calendar and fire festivals. The largest of its kind, Beltane Fire Festival takes place on Calton Hill in Scotland’s capital. The festival consists of a procession starting at the National Monument and journeying anti-clockwise around the path, meeting various groups along the way. The procession is driven by the beat of drums and at the head is the May Queen and the Green Man, followed by a parade of characters who are linked to them and the Celtic traditions.
The procession comes to an end with a huge bonfire being lit and the parades and communities of people coming together for warmth, food and drink.
Meffan Museum & Art Gallery
6. MEFFAN MUSEUM & ART GALLERY, FORFAR
Head to Forfar in Angus where the Meffan Museum & Art Gallery will give you a fascinating insight into Scotland’s past. Browse exhibitions that recreate an old, narrow cobbled street, called The Vennel, where you can see inside traditional shops, including Peter Reid’s sweet shop, a knockmaker’s workshop and a baker’s shop.
You can also stop to learn more from displays detailing the execution of the women accused of witchcraft in the Forfar Witch Hunts of 1661-1666.
Maggie Wall Memorial
© @oshiris.schmitz.74
8. MAGGIE WALL’S MEMORIAL, DUNNING
Located in Dunning, just west of Perthshire, Maggie Wall’s Memorial is a mysterious monument where a woman, who according to records never existed, was burnt alive for supposedly being a witch.
Standing around 20 ft high, topped with a cross and decorated with gifts left by visitors, the memorial is also branded with ‘Maggie Wall burnt here 1657 as a witch’ in white lettering. Another mystery surrounding this is that there’s no record of the monument itself until 1866, though a forest surrounding the monument, called Maggie Walls Wood, was documented as of 1829.
Potion-making and drinks
11. THE CAULDRON CO., EDINBURGH
Fancy tapping into your inner Harry Potter or Hermione Granger and conjuring up some magic potions? Head over to The Cauldron Co. on Frederick Street in Edinburgh where you can immerse yourself in a cocktail class, complete with a cloak, wielding a working magic wand and using molecular mixology to brew drinkable elixirs.
It’s a great afternoon experience to get you into the Halloween spirit, and with gift cards and vouchers on offer, it also makes an ideal gift.
St Magnus Cathedral
13. KIRKWALL TOWN AND ‘WITCHY’ WALK, ORKNEY
If you feel like embarking on a bit of an adventure, head to Orkney.
Uncover all the nooks and crannies of the historical town of Kirkwall with a witchy walking tour. Listen to all the intriguing tales and stories of Orkney, learn about the earliest Viking settlement of Kirkjuvagr and see the original Norse harbour, tour the most northerly cathedral in Britain – St Magnus Cathedral, and much more on this eye-opening excursion.
Listen to the fascinating insight of Orkney’s history that dates back centuries, with dozens of attractions and locations to visit along the way.
