The Dreaded Annual Halloween Kilt Thread - 2009

[NewGuise]

It's interesting to note that many of the divination customs as described by RB in his poem are also found in the writings of noted Ozark folklorist Vance Randolph's magnum opus, Ozark Magic and Folklore, thus illustrating the Lowland Scots roots of American folklore and folk culture.

Indeed!

And, for another tie, some scholars believe that Washington Irving, whose father was an Orkney man, may have been influenced by Tam O'Shanter and the Cutty Sark when he wrote of Ichabod Crane and the Galloping Hessian of Sleepy Hollow.

Turnips were apparently the Scottish vegetable of choice for lantern-making (which was not associated merely with Hallowe'en), even well after the introduction of the pumpkin, which - being easy to hollow - had swiftly taken over that role in North America. It's hard to imagine the Headless Horseman chucking turnips...