Thomas Mackay
Thomas Mackay
Search and Trends Writer
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In the original folklore, the man called Jack O'Lantern was a ghostly figure of the night who roamed the lands with a burning lump of coal inside a hollowed out turnip. During Samhain, people would carve out turnips to create their own lanterns as a means of scaring away evil spirits. By the 1800s, Scottish and Irish communities immigrated to the United States and brought their Halloween traditions with them but around this time they adapted the practice of using turnips to pumpkins which are easier to carve.

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These mid 19th century photographs of Edinburgh will transport you back in time.

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The Scottish Actor who boasted impressive roles from James Bond to Robin Hood, was born in the Fountainbridge area in 1930. Back then, he attended Tollcross Primary School but decided to leave education early at 13 to become a milkman. Unlikely origins for the man who would become one of Scotland’s most famous stars. He passed away in 2020, but his legacy lives on in the hearts of many.

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Lauriston Castle is a 16th-century tower house that was destroyed by the "Rough wooing" raids of English troops in 1544 meaning it has seen its fair share of bloody history. In recent years, paranormal aficionados were shocked after a man shared a photo of a mysterious figure standing by one of the castle's windows - no individual in such an attire was reported to be at the castle that day, adding to the ghostly mystery.

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Edinburgh and Lothian School holidays 2022: School summer holiday dates 2022, when will schools start back?

Edinburgh and Lothian school summer holiday dates 2022