Tupping Time

A time-honored tradition in parts of rural scotland where farmers cut wild and flamboyant designs into the wool of their sheep. It's marked by a 3 day festival in October where local farmers showcase their designs. The festival is often concluded with a parade of the participating sheep and various other performances. Parades can vary widely between regions, however, it always includes an erected dedication to Tupp, the ancient celtic lamb goddess and is concluded with a ceremonious burning of the fattest ewe. In the more provincial villages, some archaic customs are still performed. One of these traditions is to cover the young brides of the year in sheep's blood to increase their fertility.