An illustration of Queen Victoria taking part in Halloween celebrations at Balmoral, her residence in Scotland, and another illustration of the festivities that took place on the estate. Queen Victoria particularly enjoyed the traditions of Halloween and wrote about the occasion in her diary on October 31st 1867:
'We had an opportunity of again seeing the celebration of Halloween, and even of taking part in it. We had been driving, but we hurried back to be in time for the celebration. Close to Donald Stewart's house we were met by two gillies [a Scots term for a man or boy who assisted on hunting expeditions] bearing torches. Louise [Victoria's fourth daughter] got out and took one, walking by the side of the carriage, and looking like one of the witches in Macbeth. As we approached Balmoral, the keepers and their wives and children, the gillies and other people met us, all with torches; Brown [John Brown, the Queen’s personal servant and companion] also carrying one. We got out at the house, where Leopold [Victoria’s fourth son] joined us, and a torch was given to him. We walked around the whole house, preceded by Ross [Pipe Major William Ross, the Queen’s Piper] playing the pipes, going down the steps of the terrace. Louise and Leopold went first, then came Janie Ely [Lady of the Bedchamber] and I, followed by every one carrying torches, which had a very pretty effect. After this a bonfire was made of all the torches, close to the house, and they danced reels whilst Ross played the pipes.’