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Spooky Scotland: Halloween Festivals, Haunted Castles, and More with Dr. Irene Mariani

Spooky Scotland: Halloween Festivals, Haunted Castles, and More with Dr. Irene Mariani


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Can't make this time? A video recording will be sent to all participants after the seminar.

Join us for a spine-chilling Conversation. Close your door, shut the windows, light your candles, and get ready to hear some of the most gruesome stories from Scotland’s past. Our conversation will begin by looking at the history of Halloween and its ancient Celtic roots in the Samhain festival, which marked the division of the year between summer and winter and allowed spirits to come into our world.
We will then visit some of Scotland’s most mysterious locations and hear stories of witches, ghosts, cannibals, and body snatchers. Stops will include Glamis Castle, Edinburgh, haunted graveyards, and sinister houses. We will look at Scottish Halloween traditions, and consider how nineteenth-century writings contributed to creating an image of Scotland as a repository of the mysterious. And finally, we will share some ideas for spine-tingling experiences to do in Scotland all year round (for the bravest only).
Led by art historian Irene Mariani, this seminar will present some of Scotland’s most grisly stories and consider how these are entangled with Scottish identity and history. Designed to inform curiosity and future travels, participants will come away with an understanding of Halloween in Scotland and the country’s eeriest sites… especially those where visitors need to watch their back!

Irene specialised in Italian Renaissance Art and her doctoral thesis looked at the artistic patronage of the Vespucci family in fifteenth-century Florence. She was an intern at the Queen's Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and collaborated with the Education Department of the National Galleries of Scotland. Irene currently teaches History of Art at the University of Edinburgh. Edinburgh stole her heart and it is now her second home.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
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(7)
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L
L.H. (Santa Cruz, US)
Brilliantly Spooky!

This was a wonderful and spooky talk on the history of Halloween in Scotland. It was fascinating and really appreciated the effort that Dr Mariani went to!

V
Valerie (Arlington, US)
Spooky Scotland

This was a delightful and informative seminar! Dr. Mariani’s talk was excellent and the visual and audio components of her presentation added a lot to this fun event.

D
D.D. (Ocala, US)
Always informative and fun

This is my 3rd or 4th lecture by Irene. She made it great fun by really getting into the Halloween spirit while showing us interesting and fun aspects of Scotland. She is always knowledgeable and entertaining.

L
L.G. (Denver, US)
Delightfully spooky Halloween presentation

Very informative and also lots of spooky fun for Halloween. Irene set a wonderful, mysterious tone for her presentation including background glowing candles and jack o lantern and spooky sound effects. She did a marvelous job as a ghost story teller. I loved learning more about the origin of our Halloween traditions and customs.

R
R.F. (Rockville, US)
Halloween and Scotland

Halloween and Scotland is on my travel list. Dr. Mariani did a wonderful presentation on Scotland and Halloween. Cannot wait to visit haunted castles, staying at haunted hotels and attend Scotland’s many festivals.

Customer Reviews

Based on 7 reviews
100%
(7)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
L
L.H. (Santa Cruz, US)
Brilliantly Spooky!

This was a wonderful and spooky talk on the history of Halloween in Scotland. It was fascinating and really appreciated the effort that Dr Mariani went to!

V
Valerie (Arlington, US)
Spooky Scotland

This was a delightful and informative seminar! Dr. Mariani’s talk was excellent and the visual and audio components of her presentation added a lot to this fun event.

D
D.D. (Ocala, US)
Always informative and fun

This is my 3rd or 4th lecture by Irene. She made it great fun by really getting into the Halloween spirit while showing us interesting and fun aspects of Scotland. She is always knowledgeable and entertaining.

L
L.G. (Denver, US)
Delightfully spooky Halloween presentation

Very informative and also lots of spooky fun for Halloween. Irene set a wonderful, mysterious tone for her presentation including background glowing candles and jack o lantern and spooky sound effects. She did a marvelous job as a ghost story teller. I loved learning more about the origin of our Halloween traditions and customs.

R
R.F. (Rockville, US)
Halloween and Scotland

Halloween and Scotland is on my travel list. Dr. Mariani did a wonderful presentation on Scotland and Halloween. Cannot wait to visit haunted castles, staying at haunted hotels and attend Scotland’s many festivals.