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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Ellie Forbes & Kaitlin Easton

Scots couple transform their Motherwell home into terrifying Halloween house

A Scots couple have transformed their Motherwell home in a a terrifying Halloween house for the sixteenth year running.

Halloween daft couple William Howson, 67, and wife Roslyn, 61, have welcomed hundreds of trick-or-treaters over the years after beginning the spooky tradition in 2006.

The display, spread over their living room, kitchen, bedroom, hall and garden, takes around seven weeks to get ready.

Guisers queue up for hours to go through the haunted house, which is kitted out with hundreds of creepy decorations and scary mannequins.

The couple has welcomed 600 people to their house in Motherwell, North Lanarkshire, in previous years and will open their doors again on October 31.

Dad-of-four William said they never considered cancelling the event despite the cost of living crisis - and that it's all about having fun.

William Howson as Michael Myres with his daughter Nicola Howson as Pennywise and grandson Joshua Brown as Chucky (SWNS)
Joshua, Nicola and William outside of the house (SWNS)

Retired carpet fitter, William, who has 17 grandkids and one great-grandchild, said: "We have been doing it for 16 years now.

"We never had a thought about cancelling it this year.

"It doesn't' actually cost us that much to run as we have accumulated the decorations over the years.

"The only expense is the treats my wife gives out.

"We don't charge people to come in, it's just all about the fun.

The couple have been decorating the house for 16 years (SWNS)
It takes seven weeks to get the house ready (SWNS)

"We have to start setting up in September, there are hundreds of decorations to get out, so it takes us about seven weeks.

"The decorations are in the hall, the kitchen, the bedroom, the living room and the garden.

"It can be quite awkward to live with all the stuff out, especially in the kitchen when you are just trying to cook dinner."

William's daughter Nicola Howson, 28, dressed up as Pennywise while her partner Jordan Brown, 27, as a scary jester.

The couple's son Joshua Brown, seven, went as Chucky and William's niece Colette Boyd, 35, was dressed up as a screaming witch.

Halloween mad William said people come from all over Scotland to see the spooky display.

The family have accumulated decorations over the years (SWNS)
People come from all over Scotland to see the display (SWNS)

He said: "People will queue for hours to get in, we have had 600 people in previous years.

"It's so funny seeing people's reactions to it, especially the adults who are scared.

"It's funny to see adults terrified and running out the door.

"Our neighbours all know what to expect now.

"We are the Hallowe'en house and people will stop by and ask if we are doing it again this year.

"We put up black netting over the window when we start getting stuff out so it's a real surprise.

"All the family gets involved, the grandkids love it.

"There is not much they are scared of now.

"I had a heart attack five years ago and it has been hard this year but I am still going.

"It's a family affair."

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