Scran season 8: Halloween traditions old and new

Edinburgh guisers warm their hands over their tumshie lantern in 1956. Picture: TSPLplaceholder image
Edinburgh guisers warm their hands over their tumshie lantern in 1956. Picture: TSPL

On this episode of Scran, we take a deep dive into Halloween traditions, folklore and food with food historian and writer Peter Gilchrist and Rebecca McEwan from Arnprior Farm.

As we really get into autumn season this month, many of us will be looking forward to Halloween and possibly going to a pumpkin patch to pick one to carve for Halloween.

Rebecca’s farm, Arnprior in Stirlingshire, started growing pumpkins in 2015 and is now one of the many pick your own pumpkin patches in Scotland - offering a fun family day out in the lead up to Halloween.

She tells me about diversifying into pumpkins and what visitors can expect as well as her own memories of childhood celebrations for Halloween.

Edinburgh guisers warm their hands over their tumshie lantern in 1956. Picture: TSPLplaceholder image
Edinburgh guisers warm their hands over their tumshie lantern in 1956. Picture: TSPL

For those old enough to remember guising, dooking for apples and carving a turnip not a pumpkin, Peter tells us about the long history of Halloween in Scotland and the importance of seasonal food at this time. He also has a few interesting thoughts on carving turnips.

Listen to the episode in full

What the podcast in full

https://dai.ly/x97dtdm

Get in touch

We’d love to hear from you for the next season’s episodes.

If you have an opinion about anything we discuss, get in touch with your comments. Drop us a message on the Scotsman Food and Drink Facebook page, or contact me on Twitter @RosalindErskine or via email using [email protected].

Scran is available from all of your favourite podcast providers, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

If you like what you hear, please hit subscribe to never miss an episode - and leave us a rating and review. It helps others discover the show and we really like to hear your feedback. If you want to know more about food and drink in Scotland, then why not subscribe to our newsletter?

Dare to be Honest
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice