Explore Nairn this Halloween!
If you visit Nairn around Halloween, you might be wondering if a place famous for beaches and sunshine would even have any spooky places to visit at this time of year?
Of course we do! Here are some of the interesting places to discover around Nairn where you might see some ghostly goings-on and also learn more about the Highland’s turbulent past.
Rait Castle
You can find the spooky ruins of Rait Castle between Nairn and Cawdor just off the B9101.
This is supposed to be one of the most haunted places in the Highlands, haunted by the ghost of a girl with no hands!
In the days of Clan warfare, Rait Castle was occupied by the Cummings Clan, who had taken it off their old enemies, Clan Mackintosh. To settle the dispute once and for all, the Cummings hatched a horrible plan – they would invite the Mackintosh’s for a feast at the castle pretending to extend the hand of friendship. But in reality, they planned to take weapons with them on the night and attack their guests once they had unsuspectingly sat down to dinner!
However, the daughter of the chief of Clan Cummings was secretly in love with a Mackintosh boy and gave the plan away to save her lover.
On the night of the feast, the Mackintosh’s came armed and attacked their enemies before they could draw their own weapons.
The Cummings clan chief suspected that his daughter had betrayed them and chased the girl up into the castle tower with a sword taking a swipe at her and cutting off her hands before she fell from the tower and was tragically killed.
Ever since then, her restless ghost has roamed the ruins of Rait Castle…will you dare to explore the ruins and go ghost hunting?!
Culbin Sands
Culbin Forest is a beautiful area of forest and dunes East of Nairn and a paradise for walkers and cyclists.
But underneath the sand dunes are spooky traces of the past!
In the 17th century a great storm caused the sands to shift and bury a local village and neighbouring farms. At the time, superstitious locals blamed the natural disaster on divine retribution, as the villagers had been known to help whisky smugglers bring in their contraband and even play cards on a Sunday!
The sands are still shifting over time and every now and again parts of the buried village can re-appear. It is said that many years ago a young boy playing in the dunes came across a chimney sticking out of the sand and called down if anyone was there…a ghostly voice replied and he ran home in terror!
What will you find when you explore Culbin Sands?
Cawdor Castle
Cawdor and Cawdor Castle are well known to readers of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth” as the place where the three witches meet at a nearby heath at the start of the famous play.
Although Shakespeare took some liberties with history and Macbeth died many years before Cawdor Castle was built the name of Cawdor is now forever linked to the “Scottish Play”.
In modern times, the link between Cawdor Castle and Shakespeare continues – every summer Cawdor Castle host outdoor Shakespeare performances, which are popular with both locals and visitors.
The Castle can be visited from approximately Easter until October every year, so you can see for yourself if you can spot any witchy activity or just enjoy the beautiful castle and peaceful gardens!
2024 Halloween Events in Nairn
Get into the spirit of Halloween by taking part in one of the many events around Nairn this October!
Sunday, 3rd November (2pm – 4pm) – Kids Halloween Party at Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
Saturday, 26th October (from 10.15am) – Spooky Pumpkin Event at Bowhunter Archery
Saturday, 26th October (12pm – 3pm) – Halloween Fun at Logie Steading
Friday, 18th October – Halloween Costume Swap at Green Hive, Nairn
Find details of all Halloween events and more in our Events Calendar.
Shop for bargains with Terrifying Tenner
The Terrifying Tenner event will run from October 21st to Halloween Day itself and is designed to encourage people to shop local in and around Nairn. Lots of local businesses will be taking part offering great bargains for a tenner – check the Nairn Loves Local page for details and support local in Nairn this Halloween!