Mostly Ghostly launch a new paranormal experience on the Summer Solstice!
On the evening of Saturday 21st June — the Summer Solstice — Broughton House & Garden in Kirkcudbright — cared for by the National Trust for Scotland — will host a unique event never before offered to the public: a Good Old-Fashioned Ghost Hunt, led by the award-winning team at Mostly Ghostly.
Presented in collaboration with the National Trust for Scotland, the event marks the first ever public paranormal investigation at Broughton House. This atmospheric evening invites guests to explore the historic home of artist E.A. Hornel during a rare after-hours experience running from 9pm to 3am, using traditional ghost-hunting techniques blended with reflective investigation, storytelling, and historical context.
The team, founded by award-winning storyteller and tour guide Kathleen Cronie, has been creating immersive ghost and local history experiences across Dumfries and Galloway since 2008, and are best known for their creative, engaging and well-researched approach. This new venture was developed in direct response to guest feedback — with many asking for deeper explorations of locations and the opportunity to engage more actively with the unexplained.
Kathleen tells us more
“We wanted to create something intimate, meaningful, and rooted in place, helping to connect people to the history, heritage, and atmosphere of a location — and inviting them to explore the stories and energies that may still linger.
We’ve really enjoyed working with the National Trust for Scotland on past events such as Broughton House by Candlelight and A Pleasing Terror at Threave House — both very well received — and it’s a joy to be collaborating again on something new and exciting.”
Working closely with colleagues John Hill, Kenny Murray, and Mary Wood, the team will lead guests through a carefully planned series of small-group sessions throughout the night — making use of dowsing rods, pendulums, mirror work, and trigger objects, while incorporating atmospheric elements such as storytelling and sensory observation. Colleagues from the National Trust for Scotland will also be on hand to support the experience.
With its richly detailed interiors, vast collections of antiquities and artworks, and layers of history, Broughton House has long carried an air of intrigue. Over the years, staff have reported unexplained footsteps, a sense of movement when no one’s there, and more recently during a pre‑event visit, a wooden shutter that opened repeatedly, despite being securely closed…
Team member John Hill highlights the team’s approach:
“While we’re open to the possibility of the unexplained, we also approach things with balance. It’s about tuning into your surroundings, reflecting on how you feel, and considering both the ordinary and the unknown. Whatever the outcome, it’s about being present, thoughtful, and respectful of the place and its stories.”
Guests will also take part in a short outdoor session in the spectacular garden, guided by the ambiance of the Solstice night, followed by opportunities for group reflection and sharing.
It’s a rare opportunity to experience Broughton House not just as a visitor, but as an active participant in its unfolding story. With only two tickets remaining, this event promises to be an atmospheric, interactive experience, and a new chapter in Mostly Ghostly’s evolving programme of investigative events.
A good old-fashioned ghost hunt — in every sense.
- A Good Old-Fashioned Ghost Hunt launches on runs on Saturday 21st June, 9pm-3am. Tickets are available from the Midsteeple Box Office in Dumfries and online at Ticketsource. Tickets are £65 per person | Age 16+ (under 18s must be accompanied by an adult)
