By Elizabeth Hunter via SWNS
A man has been covered in 13,000 sticky plant heads to parade through town in a 900-year-old tradition to ward off evil spirits.
Council worker Andrew Taylor, 37, has played the role of the “Burryman” for the last 13 years in South Queensferry’s annual parade – meant to ward off evil spirits.
Andrew has been covered from head to toe in “burrs” – the sticky flowerheads of burdock plants in a nearly hour-long process to prepare for the parade.
“It takes about 45 to 50 minutes to get ready,” said Andrew.
“There’s around 13,000 to 14,000 burrs, give or take, but I haven’t counted them individually.”
Traditionally, the Burryman will collect his burrs himself, before attaching them to panels and wrapping them around his body – wearing several thick layers of clothing and balaclavas to protect himself from their hooks.
Only men born in South Queensferry in Scotland can take on the role of the Burryman – with one Burryman taking on the role for 25 years in a row.
The parade will see Andrew march seven miles through South Queensferry stopping off at each pub on the route – with each pub traditionally providing the Burryman with a free drink of whisky and a straw to drink through.
Andrew said: “I really love the tradition.
“It’s a tradition from Queensferry, which means a lot to me and I really enjoy doing it.
“I’ll definitely be having a few whiskies today – I don’t know how many though!”
