Mystery Bathtub on Inverness Roundabout Linked to Traditional Scottish ‘Blackening’
Inverness residents were met with an unusual sight this week after a bathtub appeared on a roundabout located near the Inshes Retail Park. Accompanied by plastic farm feed tubs, hay, and a sign reading “coming for you,” the installation sparked widespread speculation across social media.
While some observers initially suspected the items were merely fly-tipped waste, local officials and community members have identified the display as a likely reference to a “blackening”—a long-standing, traditional Scottish pre-wedding custom.
Understanding the ‘Blackening’ Tradition
The blackening is a pre-nuptial ritual predominantly practiced in rural Highland and north-east Scottish communities. The tradition typically involves friends and family “capturing” a bride or groom-to-be and covering them in an assortment of messy substances, such as treacle, flour, feathers, soot, or mud. The couple is then paraded through the local area, often in the back of a truck, amid the noisy banging of pots and pans.
Historically, the ritual is believed to be a form of “cleansing” or a way to ward off bad luck and mischievous spirits before a marriage. While the custom has become less frequent in urban environments, it remains a popular and lighthearted celebration in many farming communities.
Community Reaction
Councillor Duncan Macpherson, who noted the display while navigating the roundabout, acknowledged the community’s curiosity. “It is often nice to see the many signs that spring up over the town to say ‘happy birthday’ or ‘congratulations,’” he noted, though he emphasized that placing items on public infrastructure is not official protocol.
The appearance of agricultural items, such as the hay and feed tubs, has led many to conclude that the display is the work of farming friends preparing a surprise for a soon-to-be-married peer. As of now, the origin of the display and the identity of the intended couple remain unknown, adding an element of local intrigue to the upcoming nuptials.