Writer Unblocked

A review of “Terror Tales of Torry,” a guided walking tour by Hidden Aberdeen

Terror Tales of Torry transported the audience to a mysterious world of ghosts and sleeping shadows, an alliterative rollercoaster ride to the historic heart of Aberdeen.

From the ghostly bride on Tullos Hill to a brutal murder in 1945, the tour astounded the audience with its detail and depth. Actors joined us en route, ghosts of times gone by come back to tell their gruesome story, from a shipwrecked captain to a slain soldier.

Tour guide Dr Brown combined her kingly knowledge of the area with sublime storytelling skills: it was a treat to behold Aberdeen’s most entertaining historian in action.

The stories were at times punctuated by eerie percussion from Haworth Hodgkinson, a ghostly atmosphere ringing in the air. His music added an overtone of otherworldliness.

The actor blazed as a shipwrecked captain, the glory of seas unconquered in his voice. As a soldier, battles lost wept in his words.

During the tour, in addition to learning of its fascinating history, I appreciated for the first time the beauty of Torry: its community spirit, brave citizens, its passions … its ghosts. I will never look at Torry in the same light again. It is indeed a special part of Aberdeen.

To sum up: the tour was informative, well-researched, hugely entertaining and a unique tribute to the wonders of Torry. I thoroughly recommend Aberdeen’s Hidden Aberdeen tours. Find out more here: www.hiddenaberdeen.co.uk