This October Inverness Museum & Art Gallery invites families to explore the traditional celebration of Samhainn, the festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year.
Ness, the Witch, is preparing for Samhainn, the one night of the year when magic is at its strongest, but the mischievous brownies have hidden her charm stones! Children are invited to help Ness find the stones by following the trail of clues, finding out about Samhainn and folklore along the way. Trail sheets are available at the Museum reception throughout October.
Secrets of the charm stones
Visitors can also visit the charm stones in the upstairs gallery which were used for many different reasons. These have been used for hundreds of years – the sea beans kept sailors safe, some are tokens of love and others protect against faeries or are said to be used by witches. In the ‘Room to Discover’ families can try making their own good luck charm by dropping in between 1330-1600, Tuesday 14, Wednesday 15 and Wednesday 22 October.
We are very excited about our Halloween and Samhainn themed activities during October
Community Engagement Officer
There also be more crafty activities to enjoy from 1330-1600 on Saturday 25 October between when there will be the opportunity to make a guising mask. In Scotland, Guising was the traditional version of trick or treating. It was thought that by wearing a mask as a disguise you would blend in with the faeries and other spirits during the Samhainn celebrations.
Eilidh Combe, Community Engagement Officer commented: “We are very excited about our Halloween and Samhainn themed activities during October here at the Inverness Museum & Art Gallery. Everyone is welcome to come along and get involved. All materials are provided, there is no charge, though we do welcome donations and ask that children be accompanied by an adult!”
