12 great photos of South Queensferry's Burryman as he takes on final march after 14 years

A weird and wonderful annual tradition which sees a local man dressed in foliage to walk through the streets of South Queensferry returned today (August 7).

The ‘Burryman’ is believed to date back to the 16th century. Every August, a local man is covered head-to-toe in thousands of sticky burdock burrs and paraded on a nine-mile walk through the town to bring good luck.

Locals hand him drinks and donations as he makes the more than nine-hour wander around the town, with all the money raised going to charity.

Today marked Andrew Taylor's final year performing as South Queensferry's traditional Burryman, concluding a 14-year tenure in the role, having first been the Burryman in 2012.

His successor, Cameron Forrester, will take over the duties beginning in 2027, having been part of the Burryman team as bell ringer for the past 10 years.

The custom is associated with, but separate from, the town's Ferry Fair, with the opening concert taking place in the town last Saturday, followed by a week of events including the Boundary Race, and the Burryman day today, ahead of the Ferry Fair Day and Parade on Saturday, August 8, culminating with fair’s the grand raffle draw the following day.

The exact meaning of the Burryman tradition is lost, but past theories suggest he acts as a village scapegoat or a charm to ensure good luck and a prosperous fishing or harvest season.

Because the Burryman’s arms and face are stiffly covered in burrs, onlookers and pub stops offer him sips of whisky using a straw.