October is just around the corner, if you can believe it, and that only means that Halloween celebrations will be in full swing soon.
Spooky season - as many take to calling it now - might bring the cold weather with it, but it’s the perfect opportunity for a fun family day out.
One trend that has swept the nation over the last decade is pumpkin picking, and it is a great way to keep the kids entertained in the build-up to the big night on October 31.
So, here are some of the top places to pick your pumpkins in Scotland this Halloween season.
Arnprior Farm, Stirling
This is Scotland’s original pumpkin patch. You might be lucky enough to grab one of the last remaining slots for this year's event but, if not, you should book up for 2025. There might even be special celebrations next year as they celebrate ten years since opening.
Pumpkin picking was one of the first seasonal events to be organised at Arnprior Farm and tickets fly every year.
As well as picking your own pumpkin, you can enjoy street food and Halloween activities for the kids. Just make sure you pack your wellies.
Tickets are priced at £10 per car, and there are three sessions per day at 9am, 12pm and 3pm between 12-30 October.
Balgone pumpkin patch
This is the fifth consecutive year that Balgone Estate is running the experience, which also includes a haunted 2km trail and the chance to toast marshmallows by the lakeside.
The Balgone Estate website also gives customers recipe inspiration for pumpkins and squash.
Prices are based on the weight of the pumpkins and range from £1-£10.
Briarlands Farm
Located right next to the popular Blair Drummond Safari Park, this pumpkin experience is transformed from its usual purpose of Strawberry picking.
It's also a good one to avoid the bad weather, as it’s located inside one of the farms strawberry tunnels. There’s plenty of photo opportunities inside the pumpkin tunnel, as well as a carving area for anyone not wanting to create a mess at home.
No bookings are required for Briarlands Farm, but if you do book you will get a 25% discount. But it’s a cheap and cheerful day out with entry only costing £1.50 per person, and the price of pumpkins also varying depending on size.
The pumpkin tunnels will be open between 12-27 October.
Craigies Farm Shop
Hailed as the best pumpkin picking near Edinburgh, Craigies Farm Shop specialises in picking fresh produce all year round.
Alongside picking their own pumpkins and apples, visitors can enjoy delicious home baking, breakfasts, and lunches in the café, see the farm animals (including a baby Highland coo!), and enjoy a play session at Little Farmers adventure play barn.
Visitors can also wander around the fields and see the range of animals that call Craigies home – including pygmy goats, Highland Cows, donkeys, Shetland ponies, sheep and chickens.
This year the farm is taking a step up by including an after-dark experience and a massive new monster bale trail & haunted harvest.
Tickets start from £5 for the event which is running every day of October including Halloween.
https://craigies.digitickets.co.uk/category/57515
East Yonderton, Renfrewshire
Located right next to Glasgow Airport, East Yonderton is a fantastic little place in Renfrewshire where you can pick your own fresh fruit all year round.
While the farm is still to announce the official dates of this year’s seasonal pick for pumpkins, the event ran from 14 October until Halloween in 2023, and included 5 slots per day.
Booking can be made over the phone and slots available include 9am 10:30am, 12pm, 1:30pm, and 3pm, with entry costing £2 per car and £5 per minibus.
Ernespie Farm, Castle Douglas
The farm plants their pumpkins in April to make sure they are ready in time for the event.
Tickets for the event £5 to £15 but that includes the pumpkin of your choice.
Running from 12-30 October, Ernespie Farm also offers outdoor play and softplay for kids, a gift shop and Christmas shop if you want to get ahead of the next festive season, and a farmhouse kitchen.
Heads of Ayr
Heads of Ayr is a popular destination to bring the kids all year round, and that doesn’t change at Halloween.
The Farm Park will run its annual pumpkin picking event between 10am and 5pm every day between 12 and 27 of October this year.
Tickets range from £7 to £16.50 and include the pumpkin of your choice. Tickets also give visitors access to all outdoor animals, the little critters indoor animal barn, and the pumpkin patch which includes autumn-themed games and munchkin patch for little ones to grab some seasonal snacks.
M&Ds
Scotland’s best theme park is back again this year with all activities hosted within the grounds.
Visitors can look forward to Halloween themes games and a pumpkin trail, with everyone winning a prize, and storytelling by Folksy Theatres in the indoor heated theatre.
The event also includes Halloween Arts and Crafts in the marquee and a ride on the Pumpkin Express land Train.
Tickets are only available through booking online.
There are two ticket options to choose from -
- £8.95 per person includes a hot drink (no Pumpkin)
- £11.50 per person ticket includes a pumpkin (no hot drink).
South Ardbennie Farm, Perthshire
Expect pumpkins, pizzas, marshmallow toasting, tractor train rides, space hoppers, giant spiders, and more.
South Ardbennie Farm offers a wholesome day out for the family with the usual activities and more.
Dogs are welcome to the event but not on the pumpkin patch itself.
Tickets cost £10 per car, and not per person. £5 of that is also redeemable against the value of the pumpkins you choose to buy. The event is only available to book online and you must arrive within your time slot.
Westerton Farmers Aberdeenshire
This hugely popular location is bringing back their pumpkin-picking days for the sixth year in a row.
Aswell as picking your own pumpkin, visitors can enjoy saying hello to the farm’s goats, alpacas, chickens, take a tractor pod ride, and pick other produce that is on offer. On weekends a Pizza stall is on offer too.
Tickets for all the activities range from £7.50 per child, with discounts offered for groups of children, but if you’re sticking to the pumpkin patch it comes in at £5 per car.
Westerton Farm’s event is running from 11-31 of October this year.
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