Ellisland farm will use apples from its own orchard for traditional dooking at a special traditional Halloween Fun Day this Sunday afternoon on the only farm built by the poet Robert Burns.
As well as “dookin’ for apples “and “loupin’ ” for sticky scones, the traditional Scottish Halloween will have a best dressed guiser competition for children. There are also competitions for the tastiest “clootie dumpling” and the most attractive Autumn flower arrangement. The event starts at 12 noon and will end at 3.30pm.
There will be live entertainment from Spectrum – a group of young traditional performers and a special performance of Tam o Shanter, which Robert Burns wrote at Ellisland Farm, from the Dumfries Howff club’s Colin Gibson.
A late addition to the programme on Sunday, which is part of the Wild Goose Festival, will be Tarot Card readings by the mystical Madam Virginia which take place inside the farmhouse.
The Farmstead, which was built by Burns in 1788, will be decorated with information on Scottish Halloween traditions.
These will include material on a forgotten Dumfries poet who inspired Burns.
John Mayne, who attended Dumfries Academy and became a journalist, wrote about local traditions in his 1780 poem Hallowe’en, five years before Burns penned a work of the same name.
Mayne describes a farmhouse where the wife hands round apples, pears and nuts in front of a “bleezing” fireplace. He explains some of the Halloween traditions and “pranks” which were taken to America to later evolve as trick or treat.
Joan McAlpine, business development manager at the Robert Burns Ellisland Trust charity which safeguards the site said:
“It’s a fun family day for people of all ages – entrance is free and we can guarantee a spooky atmosphere in the place where Tam o Shanter was written. Forks will be provided for the Apple Dookin, there will be good things to eat and everyone will be dressed up. Spectrum are very talented young people who provided the entertainment at our last family day in summer and it was a great success.”
Competition entries for the clootie dumpling or flower arrangements can be dropped off on Saturday or Sunday Morning. The trust also welcomes any donations for the tombola or bake stall.
For more details contact [email protected] Entrance to each competition costs £2 and the first prize is an afternoon tea at Friar’s Carse country House Hotel. Entrance to the children’s guising competition is free with a cash prize.
The Scottish Halloween Event is the last opportunity for the public to visit Ellisland before the site closes to the public for winter – although it will remain open for pre booked school and group visits as well as a programme of events.
