Tumshie heids

Severed heads at the ready, the end of the year will be celebrated tomorrow evening.

The wimpish orange import is banished in this house in favour of our humble neep (that's a turnip in case you didn't know. Well, actually it's swede but it's called a turnip in Scotland... and before you ask I don't know why).

They are harder to carve than pumpkins but hold their shape better. Sturdier, they don't collapse when the heat from the candle gets going and they are easier to carry. Even better after a few days they shrivel nicely to look even more grotesque. Other plus points these have travelled from a local field, didn't cost very much at all and whilst I am quite fond of pumpkin soup, turnip is equally handy in the kitchen.

Tumshie lanterns (or Neepie lanterns in the Eastern side and Northern Isles of our wee country) have played the part of the severed heads of our enemies for as long as we Celts haven't been allowed to have the real thing staked outside our houses. I'm not sure when this was but I think it's been out of favour for a few centuries anyway.

Tomorrow we will take them with us when we go Guising to help confuse the spirits of our dead ancestors who may wish to take us back to the other side.

Well that's what ma Granny always told me...