Willow-Wand, Scotland

A peeled willow-wand was used formerly in the Highlands as an intimation that a house was full, or that visitors
would not be welcome. It was placed across the door, that any who were about to enter could not fail to observe it; and its significance being well understood, it was generally respected.

“Andrew was the first to observe that there was a peeled willow-wand placed across the half-open door of the
little inn, he hung hack, and advised us not to enter. ‘For,’ said he, some of their chiefs and men are birling
at the whisky in there, and don't want to he disturbed; and the least we’ll get, if we go in on them, will be a broken-head, or the length of a cold dirk.“ Rob Roy.

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