Visitors come for the Burry Man

The Burry Man is covered in more than 10,000 burrs

Hundreds of locals and visitors have turned out to see the Burry Man walk the streets of South Queensferry.

The 900-year-old tradition, which sees a local dressed head to toe in 'burrs' - seed pods from the burdock plant - got under way on Friday.

John Nicol, 32, a graphic designer for Hibs Football Club, said it was a great honour to be chosen to be the Burry Man again this year for the eighth time.

It is understood the sticky burrs were thought to catch bad spirits.

Mr Nicol said he had to prepare mentally and physically for the nine-hour task.

"It is agony to wear the suit as it is as uncomfortable as it looks," he said.

"Wearing a suit covered in 10,000 burrs, which slash your skin while walking all day unable to sit down, is very hard.

The pain is there for a reason though, which makes me worthy of being the Burry Man, it is agony but worth it in every way John Nicol

"I am unable to go to the toilet and am obliged to drink a whisky in every pub I visit through a straw.

"I also have to keep my arms raised otherwise they will stick to my sides and the burrs are covered in insects.

"The pain is there for a reason though, which makes me worthy of being the Burry Man, it is agony but worth it in every way.

"The relief when it is all over after six o'clock is amazing and gives me quite a buzz for a few weeks afterwards."

The 6ft 2ins Burry Man added: "The whisky helps to numb the pain during the day but it is a weird feeling being incased in burrs, you have to separate the physical from the mental.

"The fact that the reason behind it is a mystery is a reason for me to do it."

The costume is made of burrs collected from fields near South Queensferry.