Terrifying Turnips

The pumpkin may be the best-known symbol of Halloween today, but it might surprise you to learn that Terrifying Turnips came first. During the Victorian era, families carved eerie faces into turnips to ward off evil spirits and protect their homes. These humble roots glowed from doorsteps and windows long before pumpkins took their place.

This year, the SS Great Britain is reviving that chilling tradition with the Terrifying Turnip Trail, illuminating the ship in ghostly style for visitors to explore.

1.Trick or Treating gone wrong 

2.The Terrifying Turnip Trail at SS Great Britain 

Trick or treating gone wrong

Turnips once terrified more than spirits. They also caused chaos across Victorian Britain! In the 1897 book Golspie: Contributions to Folklore, Edward Nicholson described:

“The boys go about the village with turnip-lanterns, which they make themselves, doing all kinds of mischief.”

One such night of mischief turned violent in Scotland in 1899. Gilbert Tulloch, hoping to escape the local pranksters, bolted his door shut. But when he heard thuds outside, curiosity got the better of him. As he opened the door, he saw “a number of youths about 60 or 70 feet off.” One boy, Arthur Robertson, then threw a turnip that struck Mr Tulloch square in the face.

According to the Shetland Times (16 December 1899), the blow was so heavy that it “broke his nose, loosened five of his teeth, and rendered him deaf in his right ear.” Robertson was later convicted of “recklessly throwing a turnip” and fined ten shillings or sentenced to four days in prison.

The Terrifying Turnip Trail at SS Great Britain

Today, you can discover this peculiar Victorian Halloween tradition for yourself. Step aboard the SS Great Britain and follow the Terrifying Turnip Trail, running from 25 October to 5 November.

You won’t find any turnip-throwing here, but you will see the ship transformed with spooky decorations, fun facts, and plenty of eerie atmosphere. Come along if you dare…

 Sources  

(Nicholson, Edward Williams. Golspie: Contributions to Folklore. London: David Nutt, 1897. 

Shetland Times (Shetland, Scotland), 16 December 1899. © British Library Board.)