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STV News
08-08-2025
- Climate
- STV News
What is The Burryman? Town's 400-year-old folk tradition explained
A centuries-old ritual is set to return to a Scottish town as part of annual festivities believed to bring good fortune. The Burryman Parade will take place in South Queensferry, near Edinburgh, on Friday. The tradition is thought to date back about 400 years, possibly tied to welcoming the harvest or marking the change of seasons. Held every year on the second Friday of August, the parade has been described by historians as 'one of Scotland's most intriguing folk traditions still celebrated.' Custom holds that the Burryman is to be 'a stout man or robust lad', according to 19th-century author William Wallace Fyfe, who warned that 'weakly persons have been known to faint under the heat and fatigue of the dressing.' For the 14th time, 43-year-old Andrew Taylor will take on the physically demanding role. His predecessor interviewed him before passing on the torch, making sure he had the right attitude to take on the job. Andrew, who works as an environmental warden for Edinburgh council, said he had been taught that the Burryman represented a scapegoat for the town who would take away bad luck. 'It brings everybody out, you sense the good community spirit while you're doing it,' he told PA. 'I think it's very important to keep going.' Over the years, he's seen all kinds of weather – but an overcast day tends to make the walk easier. 'Over the 13 years I've been doing it, we've encountered every bit of weather you can imagine. 'The weather's never defeated us, put it that way.' Fortunately, Andrew likes whisky, though he is careful to pace himself as he will be taking about 20 drams throughout the day. He will drink it through a straw due to his restrictive costume, which is decorated with thousands of burdock burrs. The burrs, which have a natural Velcro-like quality, are attached to large sections of material, which are fixed onto a bodysuit and balaclava. Traditionally, they are collected by family members, though neighbours have helped in recent years. The costume also includes a garland of flowers worn on his head and two staff-like poles decorated with flowers and Lion Rampant flags, which help support him as he walks. The parade begins at 9am when the Burryman emerges from the Stag Head Hotel on the High Street. Over the course of the day, he covers around nine miles and makes around 20 stops before he finishes at the town's waterfront near the Forth Bridge at around 6pm. The Burryman is accompanied by two attendants and a bell ringer who shouts 'Hip hip hooray, it's the Burryman's Day'. Locals follow the Burryman along his procession, with many collecting fallen burrs as tokens of good luck. According to tradition, those who offer the Burryman a dram of whisky or a cash donation will receive good luck in return. Andrew said he is happy to continue being the Burryman for years to come, saying it is one of very few similar local traditions associated with Scottish towns or villages. He said: 'The most amazing thing about it is, I don't think anybody can say for certain why the Burryman started, we've all have our different stories. 'It's got that lovely mystery about it, I really think that's what makes it what it is.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
The National
02-07-2025
- General
- The National
Essential repairs begin on 600-year-old castle in Outer Hebrides
The works will look to employ new interventions to address concerns with the concrete and its internal reinforcement bars. A secondary structure will be installed beneath the existing concrete, using non-ferrous materials, timber and blockwork, which will be more suited to the aggressive maritime environment. READ MORE: The 26 MPs who voted against proscribing Palestine Action This will allow HES to safely carry out further necessary works to the interior of the Castle, with the conservation plans estimated to take about three weeks to complete. The beginning of the conservation work follows an intricate operation to temporarily relocate historic objects from the Great Hall to ensure their protection while the works are underway. The artefacts, which are owned by The Macneil of Barra, include six muskets, two halberds and an 'impressive' armorial. The muskets and halberds are stamped with dates from 1742 and 1743, dating them back to the time of the Jacobite Risings. The armorial, a metal coat of arms which has been painted and lacquered, includes depictions of a Lion Rampant, a masted ship and Kisimul Castle, and was presented to Clan Macneil in 1968. The relocation of the artefacts also allowed for the documentation of the objects to be updated with new photographs and measurements, with condition checks also taking place. James MacPherson, District Architect at HES, said: 'We are delighted to be progressing works to the interior of the castle which is a key milestone in our programme of conservation work and is another step forward in our long-term plans to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors. 'We appreciate that the communities of Barra and Vatersay are keen to showcase Kisimul Castle to visitors who arrive from all over the world, and we will continue to work closely with the local community. We are pleased to run free seasonal boat trips around the bay and Castle again this year and hope visitors enjoy exploring the wider area while access to the Castle is currently restricted.' These works are the next stage in HES's long-term goal to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors once it is safe to do so.
The Herald Scotland
01-07-2025
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Plan to reopen medieval Scottish castle takes step forward
It is estimated that the Great Hall works will take approximately three weeks to complete. It follows an intricate operation to temporarily relocate historic objects from the Great Hall to ensure their protection while the works are underway. The artefacts, which are owned by The Macneil of Barra, include six muskets, two halberds and an impressive armorial. READ MORE: The muskets and halberds are stamped with dates from 1742 and 1743, dating them back to the time of the Jacobite Risings. The armorial, a metal coat of arms which has been painted and lacquered, includes depictions of a Lion Rampant, a masted ship and Kisimul Castle, and was presented to Clan Macneil in 1968. The relocation activity also allowed for the documentation of the objects to be updated with new photographs and measurements, with condition checks also taking place. The works are the next stage in HES's long-term goal to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors once it is safe to do so. Last year, High-Level Masonry inspections and associated works took place to the exterior of the Castle. The works were the start of a programme to address concerns related to the Castle's concrete and reinforcement bars following a major 20th century restoration, as well as the impacts of salt and moisture from Kisimul Castle's coastal location. In March this year, HES also carried out repairs to the slipway which will help to facilitate access for visitors once the Castle has reopened. James MacPherson, District Architect at HES, said: "We are delighted to be progressing works to the interior of the castle which is a key milestone in our programme of conservation work and is another step forward in our long-term plans to reopen Kisimul Castle to visitors. 'We appreciate that the communities of Barra and Vatersay are keen to showcase Kisimul Castle to visitors who arrive from all over the world, and we will continue to work closely with the local community. We are pleased to run free seasonal boat trips around the bay and Castle again this year and hope visitors enjoy exploring the wider area while access to the Castle is currently restricted.'
Glasgow Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Around 5000 march for independence through Glasgow
The event was organised by All Under One Banner (AUOB) — one of Scotland's most prominent pro-independence campaign groups. The march began at Kelvin Way and travelled through some of the city's busiest streets, concluding at Glasgow Green, where rally-goers gathered for speeches and live music. (Image: Calum Mckenzie) READ MORE: Can you help? Dog found wandering in Glasgow's West End A pipe band led the procession, followed by waves of Scottish Saltires, Palestinian flags, Pride banners, and the Lion Rampant, as demonstrators expressed calls for independence, solidarity, and social justice. (Image: Calum Mckenzie) (Image: Calum Mckenzie) At the tail end of the march, the YesBikers for Scottish Independence rode in from High Street, leading the procession through Saltmarket to the final destination. READ MORE: 'Horned and dangerous': Driver pulled over for bizarre modification (Image: Calum Mckenzie) Once at Glasgow Green, attendees relaxed on the grass, some with picnics, as they awaited addresses from pro-independence speakers and performances by Amanda Brown and The Ronains. The route covered a wide stretch of the city, passing through Gibson Street, Woodlands Road, Sauchiehall Street, Blythswood Street, Blythswood Square, West George Street, Nelson Mandela Place, George Square, George Street, High Street, and Saltmarket. AUOB continues to organise marches across Scotland, with supporters emphasising peaceful protest and public visibility in the ongoing campaign for independence.
