A Scottish Hallowe’en

SIR – How satisfying to read George K Mcmillan’s letter (September 20) about making turnip lanterns and “guising” (calling on neighbours) in Scotland at Hallowe’en.

Most of my English friends look incredulous when I try to tell them about doing these things as a child in the Fifties.

This was a long time before “trick or treat”. Also, there were no tricks. We had to perform a song or a poem, for example, before we were given “our Hallowe’en” of treacle toffee, sweets – or, if we were very lucky, 6d. Nancy Bagnall

Mendlesham, Suffolk

SIR – It wasn’t only in Scotland that children made “turnip heads”. We did it in South Wales too.

I remember my brother and I hollowing out the turnip and carving a face. We then put a candle inside, which burnt the turnip and stank.

It must have been well after the war, otherwise my mother wouldn’t have wasted vegetables on that. Elsie Wiliams

Coventry, Warwickshire