Hens and stag parties warned over traditional Scottish pre-wedding ritual as streets left covered in feathers and soot | 9842KEL | 2024-05-10 06:08:01
Hens and stag parties warned over traditional Scottish pre-wedding ritual as streets left covered in feathers and soot | 9842KEL | 2024-05-10 06:08:01
A COUNCIL has warned over traditional wedding "blackenings" on a group of Scottish islands.
The blackenings were given an extra sprinkle of stardust in 2022 when TV star Lorraine Kelly took part in a "messy" hen-do on Orkney.
Orkney Islands' Council has now said it does not want to be "party poopers", but the pre-nuptial celebrations are creating serious clear-up problems.
"Orkney's blackening season is in full swing once again," it said.
"The banging on the side of the trucks, whistles ringing out, the distinct aroma of molasses in the air and visitors looking bewildered at the local tradition – it's all part and parcel of getting married in the county.
"We don't want to be the party poopers, but the public toilets are being left in an awful mess as a result of the blackening clear-ups.
"It creates additional work for our cleaners, not to mention inconveniencing local folk and tourists who need to use them, but can't.
"We're putting posters up in all facilities this week as a reminder."
Last year two vehicles taking part in traditional blackenings on Orkney were stopped and given verbal warnings by traffic police.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said then: "Road policing officers stopped two vehicles taking part in a blackening event due to the unsafe carrying of passengers on the vehicles.
"Officers gave a verbal warning to those involved and offered advice.
"We are respectful of local traditions such as blackenings but it is important that people act safely at all times on the public roads."
<!-- End of Brightcove Player --> People then took to social media to vent both support and anger.
The isles council issued an unusual poetic clean-up warning after Ms Kelly took part in a "messy" hen-do.
Kelly shared her joy after being invited to join a traditional "blackening" while out and about in Orkney, a favourite destination for the presenter, whose book, 'The Island Swimmer' is inspired by her love for Orkney and its people.
The Scots ITV host was out shopping in Kirkwall when the offer to join the hen party was made.
The then 62-year-old was invited to take part in a "Blackening" – a traditional pre-wedding ritual on the island and in other rural parts of Northern Scotland.
It involves the bride-to-be and her friends being covered in molasses and feathers before being paraded around on the back of a truck while the group bangs pots and pans.
The ITV star accepted the invitation to take part in the local custom and posted her experience on social media, saying it was "messy, loud and brilliant."
But the incident prompted Orkney Islands Council to respond and outline its concerns.
It wrote on its website: "There once was a girl called Lorraine Kelly
"A Scottish lass who made her fame on the telly
"On her most recent visit she joined a blackening truck
"Joined in the fun and got covered in muck
"We're not all about spoiling the fun at OIC
"We love the tradition and the revelry
"We have a favour to ask of all you fun loving blacketeers
"Leave the public toilets for those genuine clean bottomed peers
"So, to be clear, stay away from our toilets when you're all dirty
"It's not fair on our cleaners or other users who're getting quite shirty!
"PS – just to stress we aren't pointing the finger at our national treasure or any particular group for making a mess – this is simply a general message to all."
Sharing her experience on social media at the time, Ms Kelly wrote: "This is why I LOVE Orkney – this morning I was out shopping in Kirkwall and invited to join a traditional hen-do or "blackening" when the bride-to-be and her pals are covered in molasses and feathers and driven around in an truck, while singing and banging pots and pans – happens to the groom-to-be too.
<!--googleoff: all--> <blockquote class="article__quote"> </blockquote> <!--googleon: all--> "It's messy, loud and BRILLIANT!!!
"Drink "might" be taken
"Congrats Mrs Stoot to be!"
The shenanigans continued as Ms Kelly uploaded a snap of another tradition to Instagram.
The picture showed the star and another woman cling-filming the bride-to-be and her pal to a post in the town.
She captioned the post: "And then the tradition continues – with the bride-to-be "cling-filmed" to a post with her pals!
"Hope you managed to escape soon-to-be-Mrs Stoot!!"
More >> https://ift.tt/ce59GHV Source: MAG NEWS
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