‘It may be the best one yet’: Philipp Tanzer (Mr Halloween) dreams up poltergeist scenario for Durness haunted house
Organisers of the annual Durness Halloween Festival are all set for the 2024 spooktacular.
For more than 10 years the festival has brought fright and fun to young and old alike.
It often attracts people from as far afield as Thurso, Ullapool, and even Inverness because of its reputation for having the best haunted house in Scotland and the best decorations at its children’s party and evening dance.
The festival kicks off on Friday, October 25 with a Halloween themed ‘Paint a Pot’ workshop for children and adults led by Martina McLeod at Mudness. Places are limited, so book early.
Durness Village Hall opens its doors 12pm on Saturday, October 25, for the big family Halloween Party.
It’s a fun and action-packed afternoon full of horror-themed games such as ‘Wrapping the Mummy’, ‘Zombie Dance’, ‘Bopping for Shrunken Heads’, and ‘Musical Electric Chairs’.
There will also be a pumpkin carving competition, a big awards ceremony for the best costumes, and, like last year, a beautiful autumnal background for parents to take photos of their children.
Yvonne MacRae, who is helping to organise the event, said: “There will be a baking competition for adults, so please bring your spooky creations for a chance to win a voucher for Mudness Ceramics”
At 5pm, after the family party, Haunted House mastermind Philipp Tanzer invites all children (and their parents) for a special child-friendly tour of his spooky creation, where brave little explorers can find treats among the rattling chains and mysteriously moving furniture.
At 10pm the doors of Durness Village Hall open yet again, this time for the older gangs of werewolves, misfits, Frankenstein’s monsters and skeletons. And while costumes are not compulsory, dressing up is encouraged.
The entrance to the hall will be transformed into a medieval dungeon and the main hall will be completely covered in professional horror artwork.
The stage will be framed by a giant skeleton and there will be a graveyard and serial killer workshop complete with guts and limbs!
Blue Ridge will raise the dead with their popular mix of rock and country covers until 2am.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, October 29-30, people will be able to experience the latest version of the haunted house.
Philipp Tanzer said: “It might be the best one yet. You are dealing with a house plagued by multiple poltergeists and entities.
“The experience is longer than before and takes you through 15 rooms of varying sizes, two corridors, and a tunnel.
“Each room has different scares and challenges and I am very excited to see and hear people’s reactions.”
Philipp, who is known as Mr Halloween, added: “We have a tour for children that is less scary and a tour for those who want an adrenaline rush.
“I have been told by many people that ours is one of the best haunted house experiences that they have ever had.”
To book the haunted house, ring 01971 511288. Festival organisers are happy to hold group tours for schools and youth clubs.
