Stirling's Old Town Jail is set to open its doors after dark for a series of spooky haunted tours this October. The Haunted Jailhouse Tours will run from October 12 to 31, offering an interactive performance packed with ghosts and mysteries.
Visitors will follow the mysterious Night Watchman as they explore the Victorian prison's darkened cells and corridors. The event promises ghostly goings-on, dark humour, and old-fashioned Halloween fun, with guests encouraged to uncover hidden evidence and piece together clues to discover the truth behind the mysterious Charlie.
A dark history
The Old Town Jail, formerly known as the New County Jail, first opened in November 1847. Prisoners were marched from the dismal depths of Stirling's Tolbooth Gaol to their new home, which was considered a palace in comparison. The Tolbooth had been condemned as the worst jail in Britain only a few years prior, due to extreme overcrowding and dehumanising conditions.
The Old Town Jail served as Stirling's prison until 1888, before becoming Scotland's only Military Detention Barracks until 1935. Today, the prison is open to tourists and locals exploring Stirling's gruesome history of crime and punishment.
Tour details and pricing
Described as spooky rather than scary, the event is ideal for couples, families, and curious investigators. Children must be eight years old and over to take part. The tours take place from October 12 until Halloween night, apart from on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Tours can be booked for 6:30pm and 7:30pm, with a 5:30pm slot available during the last week. The experience lasts approximately 50 minutes. Adults are priced at £15, concessions at £12.50, and children aged eight and over at £9.
For those preferring a daytime visit, the Old Town Jail also offers its award-winning Crime and Punishment Tours and escape rooms, which will receive a Halloween makeover. More information about the Haunted Jailhouse Tours can be found on the Old Town Jail website.
