The Burryman Festival
When the Edinburgh festivals are running the show in the city, the nearby town of South Queensferry on the edge of the Firth of Forth, hosts a very different kind of party. Situated overlooking the iconic Forth Rail Bridge and the slightly less iconic Forth Road Bridge, ‘The Ferry’ plays host to the Burryman’s Day, which always takes place on the second Friday in August.
The Burryman himself is always someone either from South Queensferry or closely connected to the town. He is elected by committee, and occupies the role of Burryman until such time as he chooses to step down (now that’s a peaceful transition of power).
Preparing in the wee small hours of the morning – and wearing a bodysuit to protect his skin – a man covered in burdock flowers, from head to toe, proceeds from the Stag’s Head hotel at 9am. He follows a prepared route through the town, visiting shops, pubs, churches as well as housing estates, attempting to see as many of the townspeople as possible.
“Hip hip hooray, it’s the Burryman’s day” is the refrain heard around its streets, belted out by the town crier, ringing bells chiming with gusto. Fed liquids (mostly whisky…though sometimes water) through a straw, his work (or, if you prefer, performance) is a labour of love – and one that is greatly appreciated by the towns and visiting tourists alike. Meeting the Burryman is considered good luck by some – crossing his path on the day of your wedding is especially welcome – whilst others simply enjoy the strange, unconventional spectacle of it. Folk are also invited to ‘drop a coin in the box’ as a donation to local charities.
Overall, the atmosphere is one of community, conviviality and fun – locals help by picking burdock and other flowers that make up the Burryman’s garland. Every year, the event coincides with the town’s Ferry Fair – with a mix of newcomers who have, in recent times, moved out to South Queensferry from the city in search of space, peace and quiet.
Where did this come from?
It is, in effect, a harvest festival, celebrating a good crop yield, but also, because of the town’s history of fishing, is associated with a plentiful catch from its fishermen, dating back to the 16th century. However, there are other threads intertwined here. Rituals like the Burryman are seen in Britain, Ireland and many mainland European countries: the ‘king for a day’; the man of the Burgh (in this interpretation, the Burryman is the ‘man of the town’, as opposed to the man covered in burrs), celebrating plentiful amounts of food; the ‘Green Man’ that symbolises rebirth and change.
Other specific variations include the ‘Castleton Garland King’ in Castleton, Derbyshire – held annually on the 29th of May – and the Straw Bears processions, common in parts of Germany.
By Kieran Curran
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