Residents of South Queensferry near Edinburgh have gathered for the annual Burryman parade.

The exact meaning of the quirky tradition has been lost through the years, although it is believed to have its origins in the 17th century.

The parade sees a local man covered from head to ankles in burrs - the seedheads of burdock plants that grow locally. Attendants will guide the Burryman through South Queensferry for up to nine hours or more.

Council worker Andrew Taylor, 37, has played the role of the Burryman for the last eight years - despite admitting he was afraid of the figure when he was a child.

The tradition is believed to bring good luck to the town's people if they give him whisky offered through a straw or a donation of money.

Mr Taylor set off at 8.45am on Friday with wife Claire, 38, by his side and hopes to finish the route at around 6pm.

Mrs Taylor said: "The weather isn't the greatest, but he has done this for eight years now so it will not stop him.

"The forecast is to brighten up later on.

"He was so excited and nervous to do this, but the South Queensferry community love the Burryman.

"I am so proud of him. There is a whole team there to support him too.

"He has to keep his arms straight because if he drops them he might struggle to get them up again because the suit is really sticky.

"He has to drink from a straw because he can't hold a glass.

"People run over to him and put the glass to his mouth so he can sip the whisky."

Local Mary Hamlin, 82, has headed out to see the Burryman every year since 1958.

She said: "I come out every year and just give him whisky.

"I'll keep doing it as long as I can.

"My mother did it until she was 101.

"The weather is rotten but it's not stopping anybody."