Craigdarroch Castle is launching a new after-hours tour, nicknamed the Curiosities of Craigdarroch, offering a glimpse into the darker side of the 19th century.
Running from Oct. 11 to Nov. 17, the 90-minute tours will be held on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., with additional dates leading up to Halloween.
The tour explores Victorian society's fascination with death and mourning in an era where séances were a regular practice, taxidermy was treated as an art form, and grieving families often used hair art to create keepsakes in memory of their loved ones.
Participants will learn about the tragedies that shaped the Dunsmuir family, including a gathering of 500 masked guests in a mysterious event and whether a medium predicted Robert Dunsmuir's death.
Led by a guide, the tour takes small groups through the castle’s 87 steps, offering a unique perspective on the darker stories from the Victorian era. Due to mature content, the tour is recommended for adults.
Tickets are $32 and must be purchased in advance by visiting the Castle Visitor Centre, calling 250-592-5323, or online at thecastle.ca.
