The Burryman: Show Notes and Photographs

Posted on by Natalie Doig
The burryman, a man covered from head to ankle in burdock sticky burs and posies of flowers stands outside a white pub. He has two smartly dressed men wearing tartan ties standing next to him holding staffs which are covered in hydrangea flowers and Scottish Lion rampant flags.
The Burryman outside the Stag Inn at the start of the day.

Listen to today’s episode all about the wonderful Burryman here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0ls1yls or where ever you listen to podcasts. Find out more about the Burryman on today’s blog post below!

The Burryman History

Here’s some history with brilliant photos of the Burryman from the past from Edinburgh Museums.

https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/stories/hip-hip-hooray-its-burrymans-day

The forth road bridge stretching across the firth of forth. The bridge is a distinctive bright rusty orange colour. There are tree tops in the foreground and the sea is blue and the sky also. On the other side of the firth the hills of fife are in the distance.
The Forth Rail Bridge at Queensferry

Queensferry History

You can read more about the history of Queensferry here:

A Brief History of South Queensferry
In the foreground there are rooves and small grey stone cottages amongst trees. In the middle distance is a silver bridge across the firth of forth. On the extreme right peaking though the trees is the forth rail bridge. In the distance are the hills of fife.
The road bridge at Queensferry

The Ferry Fair and Burryman in 2025

Find out what’s going on this year in Queensferry, for the Ferry Fair and Burryman!

https://www.ferryfair.co.uk/

Daniel Patrick Quinn

You can listen to and purchase The Burryman (Ft Duncan Grahl) by Daniel Patrick Quinn here: https://danielpatrickquinn.bandcamp.com/track/the-burryman-featuring-duncan-grahl

The burryman standing with his two attendants in the sunshine.
The Burryman and his attendants

Stewart Lee

Here’s an article where Stewart Lee shares his love of the Burryman: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/1tfltZVcFGKkd4CB1hQzcB4/stewart-lee-s-guide-to-the-edinburgh-fringe-festival

The burryman drinking whisky through a straw. The glass of whisky is being held by a man in a kilt outside a house.
The Burryman drinking whisky

Ralph Jones articel

Last year I walked a lot of the route in the morning with Ralph Jones who wrote this fabulous article about the Burryman and even gives a shout out to Weird in the Wade! https://unherd.com/2024/08/my-day-with-the-burryman/

Plant lore

Here you can read all about Burdock:

https://www.plant-lore.com/plantofthemonth/burdock/#:~:text=Folklore%20associated%20with%20burdock%20includes,%5D%20of%20burdock%20%5B1%5D.

Culpepper

And here’s a link to what Culpepper said about Burdock during the 17th Century.

https://www.complete-herbal.com/culpepper/burdock.htm

A close up of the Burryman with his flowery staffs and flags standing outside some houses.
Close up of the Burryman

Lammas – the time of year the Burryman walks

Here Icy Sedgwick tells you all about Lammas and it’s traditions across the British Isles.

Lammas Lore: Harvests, Fairs, and Home Protection

Green Men

Here’s a fabulous podcast and blog post all about Jack in the Green and Green Men by Icy Sedgwick

Jack-in-the-Green and the Green Man: One and the Same?
Me standing along side the Burryman. I am wearing green cropped trousers and a weird in the wade t-shirt with yellow cardy. I am smiling.
The Burryman and me

More photos can be seen on this trailer I made for the episode:

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Published by Natalie Doig

"Science and sorcery." It's a quote from a beekeeper I saw on the TV, about how he sees the work he does keeping bees, a balance between science and sorcery. For me it also sums up my experience of life, my interests and my outlook. I love photography which is a perfect blend of science and sorcery, using light and technology to create magical images. But when I'm not taking photos you'll find me making the podcast Weird in the Wade. I'm also often to be found writing, reading, knitting, riding my mountain bike or drinking coffee watching the world go by. By day I fight for disability rights, equality and inclusion for all.

2 thoughts on “The Burryman: Show Notes and Photographs”

  1. NAT

    JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU- i HAVE FOUND YOUR BURRYMAN ARTICLE BY ACCIDENT AFTER THINKING IT WAS TIME TO THINK- BURRYMAN

    I REFER TO BURRYMAN IN MY OWN MYSTERIOUS WEBSITE AS THERE IS A SIMILAR TRADITION IN BERKSHIRE

    I HAVE HAD MY INTEREST IN GHOST ETC SINCE A BOY AND LIKE YOU TRY TO SHARE THE TALES- THAT IS NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS WITH TODAYS MODERN PARANORMAL EXPERTS POPING UP EVERYWHERE- BUT I STILL POST TALES AND MUST ADMIT A FEW ARE WELL A LITTLE OFF THE TRUTH JUST TO KEEP THOSE COPY CUT AND PASTE BRIGADE ON THEIR TOES.

    SORRY TO USE BLOCK CAPITALS BUT ALSO LIKE YOU I AM SVI SO HAVE TROUBLE WITH TEXT AND FONT SIZE- I CANNOT SEE PHOTOS SO CANNOT SEE YOUR POSTED PHOTOS BUT DO ENJOY YOUR VISUALLY IMPAIRED TEXT SIZE- GO GIRL THAT IS GREAT- I WILL READ THROUGH AS I CAN AND WILL BE OFF TO YOUR PODCAST TO WHILE AWAY THOSE EVENINGS

    THANK YOU

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  2. Hi Nat

    Love the Burryman having Fife ancestry. You should really do a POD on Rowell Charter Fair & Proclamation Monday. Aspects of the Burryman as it relates to a Charter fair

    Love Weird in the Wade

    Best wishes

    Claire

    Like

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