Halloween in Scotland has its roots in Celtic pagan tradition. This old Celtic New Year celebration of Samhuinn (Scottish Gaelic) starts on the eve of 31st October when witches, fairies and the spirits of the dead roam the countryside. The poem below was written by Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns (25 January 1759-21 July 1796)
Upon that night, when fairies light
On Cassilis Downans dance,
Or owre the lays, in splendid blaze,
On sprightly coursers prance;
Or for Colean the route is ta'en,
Beneath the moon's pale beams;
There, up the cove, to stray and rove,
Among the rocks and streams
To sport that night.
