Halloween 2026
When the nights draw in and the low lying lands around Dumfries become misty, perhaps it is a good time to gather for stories.
There is a crowd of folk who can often be found at the riverside tap telling each other the informal stories of the day. Since all hallows eve was coming up we decided to do something a bit special.
We set the scene using an image from “The Book of Kells” (possibly made in Portmahomack) surrounded by paper flowers using a technique discovered for a similar event in St Johns ten years ago. The poster was inspired by South American sugar skulls, and a film title which provokes questions about what it means to believe in a communion of saints that goes beyond the grave. Tumshie lanterns and candles rather than pumpkins and candy.
We decided to focus on themes like light in the darkness and international connections. After all we suspected that it would be an international gathering, and the pub is called “Beer Without Borders”. We were responding to a desire for people to move away from the shock horror and commercialism that has become associated with Halloween.
During the afternoon people dropped in and made some flowers. The tables also held some prompt cards with things to think about and the materials to make more flowers throughout the evening.
The stories themselves were carefully selected to take the evening on a journey through legend and myth.
Perhaps inspired by the headlike lanterns, we started local with a story of Finn McCool. One of his early legendary feats, where on the eve of Samhain he defends Tara from the faerie fire of Aillen. Listeners were encouraged to reflect on the story. The form it took looks ancient, an entertaining story of heroes, but the objects and actions in it hold deeper meanings.
We then moved on to a story where the hero enters the underworld. The journey of Orpheus to seek out his lost lover, snatched too quickly from the sunlight, is tragic. There are several different endings. But although the Tap does sell some particularly strong ales and wines none of those who gathered were lost to the frenzy of Bacchus.
Between each story we did take a break though. A pause to chat, visit the bar, and appreciate the fine costumes people had made for the occasion.
The next story jumped forward in time. After the unsuccessful visit by Orpheus we heard the story of another confrontation with the gates of hell. This one is a medieval legend where Nicodemus enquires into what happened between the death of Jesus on the cross, and his resurrection 3 days later. Spoiler – does not turn out well for Satan.
The final story was set in the future. In a post crash dystopian Galloway, where cities have cut themselves off from the country and in the country people are relearning how to survive. We have some recordings of the evening! so perhaps they will be uploaded to the Floating monastery archives. In the meantime – here is a version of the final story that was recorded for a Stove Network event during lockdown.