Have you ever wandered through an older building and felt the hair raise on the back of your neck, and not been sure why? It may be you are sensing something that others aren’t, some spooky aftereffect from a historical wrongdoing or the ghostly pinings of a disgruntled spirit.
Many small communities in Ontario’s Highlands have hundreds of years of history with their own fair share of ghostly happenings and unexplained occurrences. It may come as no surprise to hear that each October these communities offer haunted walks and ghost tours to share their supernatural experiences with others.
Feel shivers creep down your spine with one of these haunted walks in Ontario’s Highlands. Be warned – these spooky experiences are not for the faint of heart….
*Please note COVID-19 protocols will be followed at each of these experiences, including wearing a mask when indoors or when a distance of two metres is unable to be maintained.
Smiths Falls’ Ghost Tours
Get goosebumps with these spooky tours that take you through Smiths Falls’ historic Heritage House Museum. Learn all about ghost sightings and other creepy trivia that has been gathered by the museum. Wander through this historic building’s haunted rooms which will be lit only by candlelight. Please note pre-registration is required for these tours.
How: Book a ticket through Eventbrite.
When: Oct. 14 and 15, 2020, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: $10 per adult, $5 per child (12 and under)
Killaloe Haunted Walks
Take an outdoor guided walking tour of Killaloe and explore the town’s haunted past and thrilling folklore. Learn all about the local stories of unexplained sights, like the unexplained balls of light that have been spotted here. Keep both eyes open as you travel for who knows what spirits you might encounter along the way? Please note preregistration is required.
How: Book a spot by calling 613-717-3740 or emailing the Killaloe Heritage & Ecological Society at [email protected]
When: Wednesdays in October beginning at 7 p.m.
Cost: $10 per person
The Ghost Walk Through Perth
There will be plenty of ghostly tales to shiver about during this 90-minute outdoor walk through the historic town of Perth. This was, after all, the town that was the site of the last fatal duel and has ghosts aplenty that are rumoured to still wander heritage buildings. This walk will be led by local historian Susan Code McDougall and will be limited to 20 people. Pre-registration and ticket purchase is required.
How: Visit the Perth Museum’s Facebook page for more details and to register.
When: Oct. 28, 29, and 30, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $10 per adult; $5 per child; $25 per family (up to two adults plus children)
Carleton Place’s Haunted Heritage
This self-guided walking tour of Carleton Place’s creepiest spots could keep you up at night. After more than 200 years of history this community has some hotspots on the paranormal scale. In fact, there have been so many stories shared of ghostly experiences here that the experts at Ottawa Paranormal Research and Investigations have conducted their own research to verify some of the haunted sites on the tour. You may want to take this tour during daylight hours (just in case).
How: Download a copy of the walking tour here
When: Whenever you are feeling daring!
Cost: FREE