Halloween has a rich history that stretches back more than 2,000 years. Its origins trace back to an ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, celebrated predominantly in what is now Britain and Ireland.
During this mystical time of year, the Celts held a profound belief that the veil between the physical and supernatural worlds was at its thinnest. They thought that mythical creatures, including mischievous pixies and wandering spirits, roamed the earth, creating an atmosphere of both intrigue and fear. This ancient celebration marked the beginning of winter, a season steeped in darkness and mystery, and served as a time for reflection and honoring the dead. To protect themselves from these creatures, the carved faces into turnips and lit massive bonfires and dressed in ‘costumes’ made from animal skins and heads.
In Scotland we have a few different Halloween traditions. In Scotland, ‘trick or treating’ is known as ‘guising’, which comes from the disguises or costumes worn by the children.
1. Guising
Scottish children traditionally wore costumes and pretended to be evil spirits as they went ‘guising’ around their local area. It was believed that, by disguising themselves, they would blend in with any wandering spirits and remain safe from harm. After performing tricks or songs, guisers were given gifts to help ward off evil – a far cry from some of today’s trick-or-treaters, who get sweets just for simply showing up in costume!
2. Neep Laterns
Turnips grow well in Scotland thanks to our cool, damp climate. In the past, we used to hollow them out and carve them instead of pumpkins as they are roughly the size and shape of a human head. When lit, these ghostly lanterns – also known as ‘tumshie lanterns’ – were believed to ward off evil spirits.
3. Apple dookin’
An ancient Celtic tradition, this game remains a favourite at Halloween. Players must grab an apple floating in a basin of water without using their hands. Some tactics include spearing apples with a fork held between your teeth or dunking your head in the water to try and bite one. hose less keen on a soaking drop a fork from their teeth into the bucket, in the vain hope of spearing the fruit.
Why we bob for apples at Halloween is unclear. Some sources claim the medieval pastime of ducking alleged ‘witches’ in water to test their innocence, while others claim connections to worshipping Pamona, the Roman goddess of fruit trees and orchards.
4. Treacle Scones
Another activity that sees players banned from using their hands, this messy game challenges participants to take bites out of sticky treacle-covered scones dangling from string. Messy but tasty!
5. Nut Burning
Thousands of years ago in Scotland, Druids lit bonfires of Scots pine during winter solstice to mark the passing of the seasons, while it’s said that holly bushes were left uncut on Scottish estates to deter witches from running across the tops of hedges. The rowan tree was believed to protect against witches and evil spirits – even today, it’s deemed very bad luck to cut one down.
By Abby O’Hara