World of the Bizarre

Police apprehend 'plague doctor' in Scotland

By T.K. Randall
March 23, 2021

Image: Police Lights
Credit: Highway Patrol Images / CC BY 2.0 (adapted) The mysterious individual, who looks like someone off the set of a 17th-Century period drama, has been sighted several times over the last couple of weeks in the Central Lowlands of Scotland.

The eerie attire, which consists of black robes, a black hat and a pointed beak-like face mask filled with aromatic items, was widely used by doctors to treat infected patients during the bubonic plague as it was thought to act as a filter against the 'putrid air' responsible for causing the disease.

The costume came to be feared during outbreaks as it was perceived as a sign of imminent death.

Local parents became particularly concerned when the unidentified plague doctor started showing up outside a school, prompting calls to the police.

Officials later confirmed that they had tracked down and spoken to the man."We are aware of reports made to police and online about a person dressed in 'plague doctor' clothing," said a police spokesperson.

"We have identified the male youth who was seen and he has been visited by officers who have offered appropriate advice to him."

"We have no reports of any criminal activity and officers have been out in the community providing reassurance, including speaking at schools in the area."

The incident follows on from sightings of a different individual dressed as a plague doctor who was seen hanging around the town of Hellesdon, England back in April 2020.

He had also received a word of caution from the police over his questionable choice of costume.

so some people in scotland and some in uk have been terrorizing the locals dressed as plague doctors with the long leather cloaks, brimmed hats and grotesque beaked masks. this person was spotted next to bo'ness academy. pic.twitter.com/jBXYOLGGfZ

— リヴァイ兵長 ♡ (@demonicfries) March 20, 2021

Source: Daily Record

Tags: Plague Doctor