TWO COOPERS endured a traditional initiation ceremony in Tullibody last week.

Now fully fledged professionals after four years of training, Barry Martin, 28, and David Russell Jr, 23, were given a bath of dirty water, tar, eggs, flour, feathers and who knows what else by colleagues during the occasion on Friday, March 17.

A rite of passage, they climbed into the last barrels they fixed as apprentices at Speyside Cooperage within the Dumyat Business Park and came out as proper coopers after being spun and rolled around.

The occasion was witnessed by family and friends, including David's father David, who is also a cooper at the business, taking after his dad – also David.

He was delighted to see his son carrying on with the family tradition – it would seem you are destined to take it on with the name David Russell.

Barry, who started his apprenticeship at the age of 24, said he was a “bit jittery” ahead of the ceremony, adding: “It was good to get the opportunity at the age I was when I started.

“Thanks to everybody in here for helping me through my four years.”

A tradition dating back to the 14th century, “trussing the cooper” has been watered down over the years, but still goes strong at the local business.

Following the ceremony, supervised by manager Steven Langlands, the two lads rushed off for a warm and thorough shower.