We’re off on the Tattie-bogle trail
A trailer full of scarecrows is delivered to Brodick Castle car park heading for the Tattie-bogle trail in the castle grounds which has proved a great success.
Over the last month, an ever-growing merry tribe of scarecrows, or tattie-bogles in Scots, has taken over the woodland above the ranger centre at Brodick Country Park.
Rather than keeping the craws aff the tatties, the bogles have been providing seasonal amusement in the castle grounds.
Unable to offer their usual popular autumn holiday activities due to Covid regulations and staff shortages, the Arran Ranger Service was keen to still engage in some way with the community and visitors.
‘Asking people to make a scarecrow at home, then display them here at the country park for everyone to enjoy, seemed a good solution for providing a fun activity that’s safe and compliant with Covid rules,’ said ranger Corinna Goeckeritz.
‘As an incentive, we have been offering free family entry to the country park, including the playpark, when people are dropping off their bogles to be added to the trail. We weren’t sure how popular it was going to be. But the response has been amazing, with nearly 50 scarecrows submitted to date. It’s been brilliant fun to see new characters appear almost every day. People have been really creative.
‘Families visiting the trail really seem to enjoy seeing everyone’s creations and spotting bogles their friends have made. Even folk who are unable to come and see them in person have commented on social media how much the scarecrows have cheered them up. A huge ‘thank you’ is due to everyone who has contributed.’
Among the diverse characters dotted around Wilma’s Walk is a giant spider, a flying super-scarecrow, a window cleaner, a bogle bride, ghosts, superheroes and even a cycling bogle. Some are pixie-sized and some are human-sized, some friendly, some cheeky and some scary, but they are all different with lots of attention to detail.
Any last-minute additions to the tattie-bogle trail must be dropped off by 2pm today (Friday) in the designated trailer at Brodick Castle car park. The trail will remain
open for the Hallowe’en weekend, after which anyone who would like to have their scarecrow back can pick it up. Any remaining bogles will be taken down, dismantled and the materials recycled with the help of the weekly Healthy Outdoors Team volunteers on Tuesday November 3.
The most popular scarecrow will earn a National Trust for Scotland family membership for its creator.
‘As the winner will be the bogle with the most ‘likes’ on the Arran Ranger Service Facebook page at 10am on Monday November 2, we recommend you encourage all your friends to vote for yours,’ said Ranger Corinna with a wink. Brodick Castle and the Isle be Wild playpark will be open tomorrow (Saturday) for the last day of the season. On until Sunday, is a Hallowe’enthemed trail in the castle gardens where fearless visitors are invited to take a ‘Sinister Stroll’. The squirrel hide will close for the winter after Sunday.