For one group of north-east friends, Halloween has always been a chance to dress up to the max.
The first year they dressed as bananas, the next penguins and it was a Jamaican bobsleigh team the year after that.
This year’s theme would be just as simple – £30-a-head skittle costumes that would turn them into a human ten-pin bowling set for the night.
But what started off like any other night out in Aberdeen turned into the night of their lives, after police officers ‘knocked’ into them with their patrol car on Belmont Street and scored a strike.
The spectacle – captured on film by one of the human skittles, Steven Scoullar – has now been viewed more than one million times online, and has had hits from as far away as the USA and Australia.
One American company has even bid for the licensing rights for the 33-second clip, and their actions have exploded on social media.
For the group of lads behind the costumes, they say they can hardly believe the reaction their daft moment has created.
The friends – all oil and gas professionals between the ages of 23 and 26 – explained how they spent Halloween night in the city-centre challenging revellers to knock them down.
But when they saw the patrol car approach, they knew it would be the ultimate contender.
Ewan Aitchison, 23, said: “They were reluctant at first, but realised it was all in good spirit.”
There were roars of appreciation from the crowds as the stunt was pulled off.
“All we did was go out to have a good time and have a laugh,” said Mr Scoullar, 26.
“We never imagined it would become this big. Strangers are commenting on it in the street, and someone even held out a newspaper article on it and asked for my autograph.”
The group said if it was not for the good humour of the officers they would never have received the incredible reaction they did.
Mr Scoullar said: “It shows people what good guys they are.”
Police chiefs in Aberdeen have also commended their staff – who have not been named – for joining in the fun.
Chief inspector Graeme Mackie said it showed that police really do want people to have a good time when they go out.
“It’s not often we get opportunities like this to demonstrate that we’re able to connect with the community in such a positive way,” he said.