THE morbid tales of Stirling’s ghoulish and gruesome past are being resurrected as part of the Council’s first ever Halloween lantern parade.

The free parade will float through the heart of Stirling’s historic old town on Saturday 2nd November, as the ghosts, spirits and tales of the past are resurrected in the modern world.

Hundreds of years of history will emerge from the shadows for an event which will commemorate Stirling’s own uniquely macabre story.

Ideal for all the family, revellers are encouraged to bring their guisin’ costumes and LED lanterns for an evening which this year will be themed around Stirling’s witches.

Entertainment will be provided throughout the route, promising authentic spookiness and surprises along the way, as the living mix with the stories and personalities who populated Stirling’s past.

Convenor of the Community Planning and Regeneration Committee, Councillor Chris Kane said: “Our Halloween parade will offer fun and frights for all the family, delving deep into Stirling’s horrible histories and bringing life to the vast array of tales of witchcraft and magic which have their roots firmly planted in the city’s past.

“From Stirling witches such as the sinister stories of Mad Bessie’ Stivenson and Magdalene Blair, to Jock Rankin, Stirling’s 18th-century Happy Hangman, or the legend of Auld Staney Breeks, we have such sights to show you.”

The Tolbooth will host a variety of events in the run up to Halloween, offering a modern take on tall tales of witches and ghosts, while keeping Stirling’s heritage at its heart:

October 16th – November 2nd The Witching Hour (Exhibition), Free

October 24th The Witching Hour (Panel discussion)

October 26th Witchfinder General (movie)

October 27th Hocus Pocus (movie)

October 31st The Blair Witch Project (movie)

November 1st Stirling Queen (new musical programme)

November 2nd Halloween ceilidh, 2pm

November 2nd Stirling’s Halloween Lantern Parade, Port Street, 5pm

Vice Convenor, Councillor Maureen Bennison, said: “Many of us will have the image in our heads of a witch wearing a black dress, pointy hat and green face paint. Yet that’s nothing like the reality of what Stirling women who were faced with accusations of witchcraft would have looked like.

“These women were persecuted under suspicion that unholy forces were lurking in their communities, and the authentic tales of Stirling’s witches will be brought to life through our Halloween festival which will prove both fun and educational for people of all ages.”

For more information please visit www.stirlingshalloween.co.uk and www.stirlingevents.co.uk.