“Burning the Reekie Mehr”—A Scottish Halloween PRANKING custom in which a CABBAGE or KALE stalk is scooped out and filled with tow (the “mehr”). One end is lit and placed up against the keyhole on a door, then blowing on the other end will send plumes of smoke into the house.

Pranksters occasionally followed this up with using turf to plug up the chimney, creating a house full of smoke.

SOURCE:

The Halloween Encyclopedia Second Edition written by Lisa Morton © 2011 Lisa Morton. All rights reserved