Halloween Thrills: Spooky Encounters for Luxury Hotel Video Producers at Dalhousie Castle!
Introduction: In the world of luxury hotel videography, capturing the ambiance and allure of destinations is our specialty at Factor Fifty. Over the past 16 years, we’ve filmed at over 50 luxury locations, crafting captivating videos that showcase the essence of each property. Yet, among these glamorous hotels and breathtaking backdrops, there’s one location that stands out not just for its history and charm but for its eerie experiences. We’re talking about none other than the 13th-century Dalhousie Castle in Scotland, where our team has captured some of our most unique—and spine-tingling—content.
A Brand Film Production Turns into a Ghostly Encounter: On our first visit to Dalhousie Castle, we set out to create a brand film that highlighted the castle’s medieval grandeur. Nestled in Midlothian, just outside of Edinburgh, the castle boasts a long and intriguing history, dating back to the 1200s, and is now a luxury destination that draws travellers from around the world. We settled in for a four-night stay to capture all the magic the castle had to offer.
But as it turns out, magic wasn’t the only thing in store for us! On the third night, our director was startled awake around 3 a.m. by an alarming commotion. As he opened his door, he encountered a shaken American couple standing outside, visibly disturbed. They recounted how one of the room’s enormous oil paintings—a fixture that had hung for decades—had suddenly crashed to the floor. The walls showed no signs of instability; it was as if the painting had been pulled by unseen hands. Spooked but intrigued, we chalked it up to one of Dalhousie’s haunted tales—just the kind of story that lends character to historic hotels.
Lockdown Filming Brings Chilling Experiences for the 360 Video Crew: Fast forward to the pandemic lockdowns, when another chance to film at Dalhousie presented itself. This time, we sent in our 360-degree video team to capture an immersive view of the castle. With no guests and a skeleton crew, the castle was quieter than ever—a perfect time to film every room without interruption. Or so we thought!
On the first morning after filming, our crew met up with the castle’s general manager to debrief. One of our cameramen casually mentioned his interrupted night’s sleep, jokingly blaming it on the director’s supposed 4 a.m. pranks. He described loud banging noises, a rattling wardrobe, and what he thought were spooky sounds just outside his door. Much to the crew’s surprise, the director denied any involvement—and his honesty was not in doubt. The general manager raised an eyebrow, chuckling as he asked which room they’d stayed in. “Ah, yes,” he said knowingly, “We’ve had similar feedback from other guests who’ve stayed in that room.”
Was it a ghostly guest or a trick of the mind? We’ll never know, but Dalhousie Castle’s charm is undeniably captivating, blending history, luxury, and mystery in a way few places can.
Conclusion: For hotel video producers, Dalhousie Castle offers more than just cinematic scenery; it’s a venue with a pulse, a place where history seems to linger in the halls. These spine-tingling stories make for fantastic storytelling, perfect for luxury hotels looking to add an extra layer of intrigue to their marketing content. At Factor Fifty, we aim to capture the unique spirit of each property, whether that includes world-class amenities, scenic views, or—occasionally—a ghostly encounter.
