Authors given chance to write a Halloween ghost story in a haunted castle

[John Dean]

Buittle Castle and best-selling novelist John Dean have teamed up to run a workshop on how to write a ghost story in the spooky surroundings of the Medieval Tower House near Dalbeattie, Dumfries and Galloway.

The event, which will take place between 3-8pm on Halloween, Thursday October 31, 2019, will help writers to tap into their reader’s inner fears to conjure up a truly spine-chilling ghost story.

During the workshop, they will be wondering if the castle’s ghostly dog makes an appearance in the main hall where it has been reported on several occasions.

The workshop will help the writers to explore a sense of place in their writing by taking advantage of the unique surroundings of the castle, which today offers B and B accommodation and is a venue for weddings and other functions.

The site itself can be traced back to Iron Age farmers and the Romans may also have used Buittle to disembark in their conquest of Scotland.

In the 13th Century, Buittle Castle belonged to Allan, Lord of Galloway and it has a long connection with the Baliol family and the kings of Scotland.

James Cavendish, co-owner of the Castle, said: “The workshop is something new for the castle and its rich atmosphere lends itself perfectly to ghost stories.”

John Dean, who is best known as a crime novelist and lives near Castle Douglas, has been running creative writing workshops through his company Inscribe Media Limited for twenty years.

He said: “The ghost story is one of the oldest literary genres and gives the writer the opportunity to play on the fears of the reader to create truly powerful pieces of work.

“Key to success is creating atmosphere and having the opportunity to run a workshop on Halloween amid the unique surroundings of Buittle Castle, with all its history, should prove to be a truly memorable experience.”

The workshop costs £55, including a meat or vegetarian lasagne supper, and for more information, or to book a place, you can contact John Dean at [e-mail] or 07889 554931.

More information on the castle can be obtained at https://www.buittlecastle.co.uk/