You may have heard of clootie trees. The practice is an ancient pagan survival found mostly in rural backwaters of Fife, the Black Isle and Ireland, whereby rags dipped in holy springs are attached to nearby branches to honour or beseech a saint or spirit associated with the spot.
But what about 'bootie trees'?
This urban phenomenon appears to be spreading across Edinburgh, and is not uncommon on backstreets close to popular watering holes.
Spurtle has noticed it locally on Broughton Street Lane – where trainers tied together by the laces have been thrown up into the telephone wires – and now in West Register Street Lane where a variety of boots, plimsoles, trainers, pumps and Converse All Stars adorn the pipework high above. Curiously, most of the shoes appear to be in reasonably good condition.
What is the point of this behaviour? Are revellers seeking to compliment or gain favour from powerful local publicans? Or do they hope that the effects of their drinking will be magically transferred into the footwear and gradually dissipate as the shoes decay? Are these acts performed by individuals or groups? Are they planned, or do they spontaneously suggest themselves as a good idea at 2 o'clock in the morning?
If you can explain what's going on, have ever woken up on a Sunday morning to find your shoes are missing, or can provide further examples in Broughton and beyond, please get in touch: spurtle@hotmail.co.uk.
[img_assist|nid=1402|title=|desc=|link=node|align=center|width=640|height=616]