Halloween Haunted Pub Crawl

International Friends in Edinburgh are running a Halloween Haunted Pub Crawl on Saturday 31 October, starting at the Tolbooth Tavern on the Canongate. It's a night that takes in some of the city's most haunted pubs, and the starting point is one of them. The Tolbooth Tavern has a bit of a reputation, and the story behind it goes back to the 16th century.

As it's told, Sir Lewis Bellenden, a high justice, performed or oversaw an intense exorcism on a man accused of being a warlock. The man reportedly died of pure fear shortly after, and legend has it his spirit never left. He's the one blamed for the pub's paranormal activity: things knocked off tables, pictures torn from the walls, and shadowy figures spotted around the place. Staff and visitors have also reported the sound of children playing or giggling, and a spectral presence pacing the stairs toward the clock tower.

From there, the crawl moves on to other haunted pubs across the city, so you'll get a few different spots in one night rather than just sticking to the Royal Mile. It's hosted by Darren L. of International Friends in Edinburgh, and there's a small prize for the best costume, so it's worth putting some effort into your outfit if you're in the mood for it.

The whole thing runs from 7:00pm on Saturday 31 October through to 1:00am on Sunday 1 November, starting at the Tolbooth Tavern, 167 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN. Entry is free.