It’s nearly time for the spookiest time of the year - with people busy organising fancy dress, pumpkin (or turnip) lanterns and creepy decorations for Halloween.
While the occasion may have become somewhat Amercanised in recent decades, Scotland is very much the home of Halloween - or Samhainn, to give it its traditional Celtic title.
It’s the boundary between summer and winter - light and dark - when the harvest ends and the walls between our world and other realms weakens, allowing long-dead ancestors and supernatural fairies to roam amongst us.
We’re certainly a nation that embraces the celebration, with plenty of events planned up and down the country.
Here are 10 that caught our eye - from free family-friendly fun to terrifying immersive experiences.
1. Paisley Halloween Festival
One of the biggest events of its type in the UK, the Paisley Halloween Festival will take place in the town from Friday, October 25-Saturday, October 26. There will be a colourful parade starting each night at 7pm, stage and street performances, spooky lighting displays, creepy installations dotted around town, food and drink stall and loads of themed activites for all ages. Best of all, it's free (although you can buy a ticket to view the parade from a covered bandstand). | Paisley Halloween Festival
2. GlasGLOW in Glasgow
Once again, Glasgow's Botanic Gardens will be lit up on a nightly basis from October 25-November 10 from 5pm. This year there are ten worlds to explore on the hour-long trail, including BoneYard, CarnEvil, Clowntown and Haunted Hoose. You can also toast yourself a tasty treat at Marshmallowland. | David Hepburn
3. The Samhuinn Fire Festival
Organised by Beltane Fire Society, the Samhuinn Fire Festival will once again be lighting up Edinburgh's Holyrood Park to mark the changing of the seasons on Thursdasy, October 31. An epic battle between Summer and Winter will play out with drums, music, fire-play, acrobatics, and "a cavalcade of otherworld creatures". The event is ticket-only, which are available online. | Getty Images
4. Late night at the Pumpkin Festival
Craigies Farm, just outside Edinburgh, really get into the Halloween spirit, with youngsters invited to select their perfect pumpkin to carve as part of their annual Pumpkin Festival. This year, for one night only on October 31, they are hosting an adults-only event. Navagate a haunted maze, experience the pumpkin patch at night, enjoy the monster bale trail and the haunted harvest, along with food and drink. Optional zombie splat paintball is also available. Tickets are £12. | Craigies