Tour agency Scottish Odyssey is running The Scottish Witch Trials Guided Tour, a four-hour experience that explores one of Scotland's most chilling chapters in history. The tour departs from Edinburgh and takes guests to Tullibole Castle in Crook of Devon, near Kinross, with departures at 3pm and 7pm.
Between 1563 and 1736, roughly 4,000 Scots were accused of witchcraft, with the majority being women. Around 2,500 were found guilty and executed. According to The Centre of Scottish Culture, the biggest hunt took place in 1662 in Kinross-shire, where the Crook of Devon trials saw thirteen people accused of forming their "own cell." Of those, only two were not put to the death penalty by the "hand of the hangman" and burnt to ashes.
Castle Access and Fireside Tales
Guests receive exclusive access to Tullibole Castle and its grounds before a fireside conversation with Lord Moncreiff, where stories passed down through generations are shared, including tales of ghosts, cannibal families, and unexplained events.
Visitors then follow the twisting paths of the Witches Maze, constructed to commemorate the 11 witches executed in 1662. The walk takes place by candlelit lanterns as darkness falls.
Bonfire Finale and Practical Details
The experience includes a dram of whisky and concludes with guests gathering around a roaring bonfire for more ghostly tales and Scottish folklore before returning to Edinburgh.
Scottish Odyssey states: "With transport, a unique castle experience, expert guiding and a dram of whisky included, this four-hour tour offers an atmospheric and deeply immersive way to discover the real history behind Scotland's witch trials."
Guests should bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a water bottle. The tour involves walking through dark pathways, so customers are advised to stay close to the group. No food or drinks are provided apart from the optional dram of whisky.
Tickets cost £78 per person, with tours running until November 1. Further details are available on the Scottish Odyssey page.
