Craigie Pensioner, 79, Still Goes Guising Every Year and ‘Has the Best Joke in Perth’
Isa Ritchie has dressed as a witch every Halloween since 1953. Neighbours say she's 'a legend, but takes all the Tunnock's'.
Halloween costumes, which Isa Ritchie has been wearing for 73 years. Photo: , “The History of Witches and Wizards, 1720 Wellcome L0026615”, via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Isa Ritchie, 79, from Craigie, has been guising every Halloween since she was six, and has no intention of stopping now.
“Why should I?” she said, adjusting a pointed hat she has owned since the 1980s. “I’ve got a costume. I’ve got a joke. I’ve got a bag. The rules don’t say anything about age.”
Isa’s joke is said to be the best in Perth, and she refuses to share it in advance. “If I told you, you’d use it. Then I’d have to get a new one, and I’ve been using this one since 1971.”
Neighbours love her visits, though several say she is a tough customer. “She won’t take a lollipop,” said one. “She wants a Tunnock’s. If you don’t have a Tunnock’s, she’ll tell you a second joke, and it’s a bit rude.”
Isa plans to go out again tomorrow despite the drizzle forecast. “I’ve been rained on every Halloween for seventy years,” she said. “I’m a witch. We’re waterproof.”
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Letters to the Editor
The views expressed are those of the reader, and frankly that's on them.
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Isa came to ours last year. The second joke is VERY rude. Get the Tunnock’s in.
— Rhona P., Craigie, 30 October 2026 -
Best joke in Perth, can confirm. I’m not repeating it.
— Brian S., Craigie, 30 October 2026
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