Halloween Is Going To Be A Horror Show For Us All If It's Cancelled This Year

Farmers are terrified this year’s Halloween could be cancelled due to the spread of Covid-19.

- John Dingwall

A rise in cases has led to localized lockdowns – and many fear restrictions on movement will spoil a lucrative pumpkin picking season.

John Laird, of Cairnie Farm in Cupar, Fife, who has been growing pumpkins for 21 years, said: “Our original small patch had 300 to 400 pumpkins which sold out.

“The interest has quietly grown every year to 12,000 pumpkins.

“The impact would be huge if Nicola Sturgeon prevents people from traveling because people come from all over for our pumpkins.

“If she decides to shut festivities down, it would be a struggle for us.

“Outbreaks are increasing on a daily basis and places are in a shutdown but we’re in the countryside and we hope we can go ahead with the whole event.

“ It’s hard to tell what’s happening in any 24 hours and we have to respond to it any way we can.

“It would be scary for the few farmers in Scotland who grow pumpkins. “It would be especially terrify ing for us.

“ The pumpkins are more generally for decoration at home.

“It gives kids something to do and they make lanterns. Only about 25 per centare for food.”

Having planted his pumpkins in May, John added: “It’s a big part of the year and we work hard towards Halloween.

“I don’t see why it should be an issue but it’s down to her policies.”