Scotland


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-good-gourds">GOOD GOURDS!</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="768" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/IMG_7063-2-1-768x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-571" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/IMG_7063-2-1-768x1024.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/IMG_7063-2-1-225x300.jpg 225w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/IMG_7063-2-1.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px" /></figure>



<p>Half term is pumpkin season, people! From the&nbsp;<strong>pumpkin festival at Edinburgh&#8217;s Royal Botanic Gardens&nbsp;</strong>to a whole nation of farms where you can pick your own, it’s all about the squashes this October. Basically, if you don’t end up ankle-deep in mud with a wheelbarrow and a gourd the size of a toddler, have you even done autumn?&nbsp;<a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/things-to-do/for-kids/things-to-do-kids-best-pumpkin-patches/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">See our guide to the pick of the patch</a>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-spooky-season">SPOOKY SEASON</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="692" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/GB30_TALENT_STILL_054-copy-1024x692.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-490" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/GB30_TALENT_STILL_054-copy-1024x692.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/GB30_TALENT_STILL_054-copy-300x203.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/GB30_TALENT_STILL_054-copy-768x519.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/GB30_TALENT_STILL_054-copy.jpg 1480w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ghostbusters Image © 1984 Columbia Industries, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission</figcaption></figure>



<p>Pumpkins picked? Time to ramp up the fright factor. Historic Environment Scotland’s <a href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=6453bd95-11fc-4168-929d-b340009976c4">Mythical Mystery Hunt</a> <strong>(Sat 11 Oct – Sun 2 Nov</strong>) promises faeries, giants, and the odd lurking witch. Add in <em>Ghostbusters</em> screenings and full-blown fire festivals, and you’ve got yourself a Halloween line-up scarier than your energy bill. <a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/best-things-to-do-halloween-scotland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Here’s our guide to what’s on.</a></p>



<p>Spooky season can see an explosion of sticky glue and glitter explosions – channel your creativity, why not make a Halloween hat at the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nls.uk/whats-on/halloween-hats/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>National Library of Scotland</strong></a> <strong>(Sat 25 Oct)</strong> or try autumnal crafts at the&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/childrens-activity-autumn-art/59697/">Royal Botanics</a></strong> in Logan <strong>(Thurs 16 Oct)</strong>.</p>



<p>Or maybe the kids (and let&#8217;s face it, you) need a place to scream. Get the big ones off their screens to play a real life zombie game. A 30-minute maze challenge to shut down the zombies, <strong><a href="https://scotlandsthemepark.com/event/zombie-check-point-10/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Zombie Checkout</a> (<strong>Sat 4 Oct – Sun 2 Nov selected dates, </strong>£11.95)</strong> is an adrenaline-fuelled race against the clock at Scotland&#8217;s Theme Park in Motherwell.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-seal-of-approval">SEAL OF APPROVAL</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/zdenek-machacek-LJlTSTDbfTc-unsplash-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-569" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/zdenek-machacek-LJlTSTDbfTc-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/zdenek-machacek-LJlTSTDbfTc-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/zdenek-machacek-LJlTSTDbfTc-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/zdenek-machacek-LJlTSTDbfTc-unsplash.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: <a href="https://unsplash.com/@zmachacek?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash">Zdeněk Macháček</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/seal-on-sand-LJlTSTDbfTc?utm_content=creditCopyText&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a></figcaption></figure>



<p>Sometimes only a bracing coastal stomp will do – preferably with seals for company. Grey seals pup at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/st-abbs-head" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>St Abb’s Head</strong></a> every October and spotting the babies is pure magic. Even if they’re feeling shy, there’s nothing like a big coat, wellies, and a windswept walk to reset the brain.&nbsp;<a>Check out more of our favourite coastal walks.</a></p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-history-lesson">HISTORY LESSON</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Glasgow-Tutankamun-1024x683.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-568" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Glasgow-Tutankamun-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Glasgow-Tutankamun-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Glasgow-Tutankamun-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/Glasgow-Tutankamun.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>This half term, <strong><a href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/whats-on/event/?eventId=aa9964c9-ef45-40fe-a8b0-b1d100ea505c" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Historic Environment Scotland castles</a></strong> are going full immersive theatre. Expect knights at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/urquhart-castle/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Urquhart Castle</strong></a>&nbsp;and medieval musicians at&nbsp;<a href="https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/aberdour-castle-and-gardens/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Aberdour Castle</strong></a>, all in full costume. Want to time-travel even further? Head to <strong><a href="https://tutankhamunexperience.com/glasgow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Glasgow’s SEC</a></strong> where the world of ancient Egypt and the secrets of one of the most famous pharaohs await. (Indiana Jones hat optional.)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-s-the-story">WHAT&#8217;S THE STORY?</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="683" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/A-Dispute-With-A-Butterfly-1024x683.png" alt="" class="wp-image-593" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/A-Dispute-With-A-Butterfly-1024x683.png 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/A-Dispute-With-A-Butterfly-300x200.png 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/A-Dispute-With-A-Butterfly-768x512.png 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/09/A-Dispute-With-A-Butterfly.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>The&nbsp;<a href="https://sisf.online.red61.co.uk/events?s=family" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Scottish International Storytelling Festival</strong></a>&nbsp;kicks off with a dedicated kids’ programme <strong>(Sat 11 Oct</strong> <strong>– Sun 2 Nov)</strong>. Think sensory storytelling with puppetry, percussive dancing, a family ceilidh, and even tales of dragons and cosy bears. Experience sensory storytelling with Fibi Cowley in <em><a href="https://sisf.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:6246/">A Dispute with a Butterfly</a> </em>and with Ailie Finlay in <em><a href="https://sisf.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:6291/913:27717/">Tales of Cold Forests and Cosy Bears</a></em>. The <a href="https://sisf.online.red61.co.uk/event/913:6293/913:27720/">Botanics Storytelling Day</a> is back too, proving bedtime stories have nothing on Scotland’s best bards.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-beast-hunting">BEAST HUNTING</h2>



<p>Nessie who? From zombies and vampires to selkies and sea monsters, Edinburgh’s&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://dynamicearth.org.uk/halloween-at-dynamic-earth/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Dynamic Earth</a></strong>&nbsp;(<strong>Fri 3 Oct – Sun 2 Nov</strong>) is on a mission to uncover the science behind Scotland’s most hair-raising myths.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-i-see-you-rolling">I SEE YOU ROLLING</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/54103734043_5c7cdc932e_o.jpg" alt="Rollerstop Roller disco Glasgow" class="wp-image-1027" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/54103734043_5c7cdc932e_o.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/54103734043_5c7cdc932e_o-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/54103734043_5c7cdc932e_o-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/54103734043_5c7cdc932e_o-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photograph: Rollerstop</figcaption></figure>



<p>It’s retro but kids (and honestly, us grown ups too) love roller discos. <strong><a href="https://rollerstop.co.uk/holiday-roller-disco/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Rollerstop</a> </strong>in Glasgow are running 90 minute sessions <strong>(Mon 13 and Fri 17 Oct, £13 entry with skate hire)</strong>, <a href="https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/ardrossan/civic-centre/roller-disco/2025-10-13/11:00/t-eagozgn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Retro Rollers</strong></a> are bringing the disco vibes to Ardrossan Civic Centre on <strong>(Mon 13 Oct, £5)</strong> and <a href="https://rollerbeats.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Rollerbeats</strong></a> will be popping up at the Dunblane Centre for a Halloween special <strong>(Sun 19 Oct, £12.99)</strong>.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-zip-about">ZIP ABOUT</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/Treezone-Loch-Lomond.jpg" alt="Treezone Loch Lomond zip wire adventure treetop half term
" class="wp-image-1011" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/Treezone-Loch-Lomond.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/Treezone-Loch-Lomond-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/Treezone-Loch-Lomond-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/scotland/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2025/10/Treezone-Loch-Lomond-768x512.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Instead of having your kids swinging from the lampshades with boredom at home, get them on a zipwire trail in the trees. If it’s purely the thrill of the zip you’re into, <a href="https://www.bungeejumpscotland.co.uk/outdoor-activities/killie-zip/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Killiecrankie Zip Park</strong></a> is a circuit of nine wires over forest and the River Garry and <a href="https://www.g2outdoor.co.uk/zip-trek-aviemore-cairngorms-scotland/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>G2 Zip Trek Adventure Park</strong></a> has two trails – one guided and the other self-guided depending on your level of challenge.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Or add high ropes challenges into the mix. <a href="https://iye.scot/treezone" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>TreeZone</strong></a> has a few different courses through the forest canopy so you can start short and easy and build up. And of course the OG high ropes and zips courses are <a href="https://goape.co.uk/regions/scotland" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Go Ape</strong></a>’s. They’ve got three: Aberfoyle is home to Scotland&#8217;s longest dual zip wires, Glentress Forest near Peebles has massive solo zips over a lake and at Go Ape Dalkeith all the kids can join in – they’ve got activities for under 10s too.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?</h2>



<ul>
<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/arts-culture/autumn-culture-guide-scotland/">The culture hit list: What to see, hear and book this autumn in Scotland</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/for-kids/things-to-do-kids-best-pumpkin-patches/">Pick of the patch: Seven great spots for pumpkins</a></li>



<li><a href="https://scotland.muddystilettos.co.uk/things-to-do/whats-on/scotland-winter-light-trails-festivals/">Let there be light: Scotland’s dazzling winter illuminations</a></li>
</ul>


Give me a break! Muddy’s guide to keeping the kids happy this half term

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