Coopers Steven Langlands and Ian Sweeney go through ritual at Speyside Cooperage, Dumyat Business Park, Tullibody

Steven Langlands and Ian Sweeney with their casks before the ceremony

Steven Langlands Jr, 26, and Ian Sweeney, 27, completed their apprenticeships at Speyside Cooperage at Dumyat Business Park at the edge of the town after four years of training and endured a good old fashioned ritual to mark the occasion.

The pair climbed into the last casks they've fixed as apprentices and came out as skilled coopers after their colleagues gave them a bath of dirty water, tar, eggs and flour topped with some feathers for good measure.

Known as “trussing the cooper” the 14th century tradition has been “watered down” over the years, but is still a favourite in the profession.

The guys got a bath of muck and were rolled around by colleagues

They were covered in tar, dirty water, eggs, flour and more

Manager at the cooperage, and proud father of one of the apprentices, Steven Langlands Snr told the Advertiser: “It won't harm them – it's rubbish off the floor, eggs, flour some caramel [mixed with water] maybe some feathers.

“Once they are in the guys will roll them around it's all over and done with in 10-15 minutes, if they behave themselves!”

The former apprentice coopers got covered in muck

icing on the cake - they were also covered in feathers

All good - the apprentices behaved themselves and endured the ritual

Steven Langlands, covered in much and feathers, seems to have enjoyed the ceremony

Before climbing into the barrels, the two said the ceremony, which was also observed by family and friends, was “daunting”, but they were looking forwards to the pub after a thorough shower.

Steven Langlands and Ian Sweeney after the ceremony

Ian Sweeney and Steven Langlands are now fully qualified after a four-year-apprenticeship