The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
All kinds of ghosts and ghouls on witch walk
Fun event will take people on a tour of town’s eerie past
Zombies, monsters, ghosts and ghouls will stalk the streets of Arbroath during an Edinburgh-style witch walk.
Arbroath’s family-friendly Westport Witch Walk will take place on Saturday October 28 and could be followed by a living history ghost walk in January.
The inaugural event has been organised by Jean Stewart from Arbroath in Bloom, Arbroath’s Community Connectors and local artists Jilly Henderson and Neil Paterson.
Jilly said: “We hope this is the first of many fun local events. The Westport Village is making its presence felt in a good way and we have so many cool shops and venues in the Westport, the Millgate and Market Place who are all taking part in the Witch Walk.
“Along with promoting the Westport Witch Walk, Neil and I are currently creating a living history ghost walk for the town of Arbroath, which we hope to launch in January.
“All these events are so much fun and we hope they pave the way to putting Arbroath on the map.”
Arbroath has a history of ghostly legends, including renowned myths relating to its abbey and St Vigeans Church.
“All these events are so much fun and we hope they pave the way to putting Arbroath on the map. JILLY HENDERSON
The sound of religious chanting is said at times to be heard emanating from within the grounds of the abbey.
Ghostly apparitions with their flowing robes and gracious sense of gliding movement have been reported by many witnesses.
In the 18th Century, residents of St Vigeans believed there was a loch under the 40ft mound on which the church stands and they believed a kelpie lived in the loch.
The myth grew that the man who built the church had captured the horse and put it to work dragging large stones up the hill.
On being rescued from its labours, the beast harboured a resentment against its captor and set a curse upon the church.
The Witch Walk will start at Keptie Bakery between noon and 2pm at which people can pick up competition clue sheets and pencils.
They will then walk down the Westport into Millgate and on to Market Place following the clues and answering the spooky Halloween questions.
The answers will be found in the shop windows on the way before the prize-giving ceremony at 4.30pm.
The event will also feature a spooky appearance at T-potters Cafe from Winnie Mcwitch and Dame Nellie at 3pm, who will be singing songs and telling ghost stories.
There will be prizes for scariest dressed girl and boy and for the best carved pumpkin and neep lantern.
Horrible cup cakes will be available for all children taking part at Heather Cottage Crafts at Market Place where everyone will meet at the end of the walk.