William Wallace Heritage Trust
Lanark Events - Whuppity Scoorie
These days, the custom of ‘Whuppity Scoorie’ is organised annually by the Royal Burgh of Lanark Community Council. It consists of local children gathering at Lanark Cross prior to 6pm on 1st March each year. The children range in age from tots of two and three, accompanied of course by an adult, up to young teenagers. All of these children are “armed” with a ‘ball of paper’ on the end of a length of string, which is swung around their heads as they run. The run takes place around the Kirk and commences with the first chime of the steeple's “wee bell” at 6pm and finishes when each child has completed three laps around the Kirk. Cash prizes have been presented in the past for the first boy and girl to complete the three laps, but it was felt that it would be fairer to the smaller children if the competitive element was dropped. After the three laps have been completed, members of the community council distribute, by way of a “scramble” for the older kids and a wee gift for the tots in arms, around £100 in change, these days, thanks to inflation, a mixture of silver 20p coins - for value - and heavy 2p copper coins - for effect!
The origins of Whuppity Scoorie are lost in the mists of time and this “unknown” factor has enabled the tradition to develop a mythology all of its own! Many and varied are the local opinions with regard to its origins, each one providing a seemingly logical answer. What is inescapable is the traditional date of 1st March, which means that the tradition coincides with the first ringing in ‘Spring’ of the town’s “wee bell” after a six-months winter of silence. It seems highly likely under these circumstances that the tradition originally was in some way a rite to celebrate the arrival of Spring and the end of Winter.
