Pumpkin drive for pigs at the National Museum of Rural Life to reduce waste this Halloween
Visitors to the National Museum of Rural Life are being encouraged to donate their Halloween pumpkins and turnips on November 1st.
Article Source: National Museums Scotland
Last Updated: 30 October 2025 12:56
Image: Arlo Cook (age 5) at the National Museum of Rural Life. Photo © Andy Catlin
Farmers will feed the seasonal squash to the Tamworth pigs and sheep on the Museum’s historic working farm in an effort to reduce food waste.
Around 18,000 tonnes of uneaten pumpkins are thrown away each year, according to a 2024 report by Waste Managed. More still are left outside in gardens, woods or farmland where they can pose a risk to wildlife like hedgehogs.
From Saturday 1st until Sunday 9th of November, visitors can drop off their pumpkins or turnips at a designated donation point inside the East Kilbride Museum. The popular attraction is home to a family of rare breed Tamworth pigs and sheep, as well as visitor favourites Gina and Anna the Clydesdale Horses, Highland cattle, hens and an Ayrshire Dairy herd that are milked each afternoon.
Vicky McLean, General Manager of the National Museum of Rural Life, said: “Thousands of pumpkins end up in landfill each year, a real Halloween horror! Donating pumpkins for pigs is a small step towards reducing the truly spooky environmental impact of food waste. The squash also provide a nutritious farmyard treat, and of course our sheep love neeps too.”
Visitors to the National Museum of Rural Life can learn about Scotland’s rich rural heritage through the fascinating objects showcased in the Museum’s galleries. They can also visit the historic working farm to see the animals and step back in time at the Georgian farmhouse that offers a glimpse into the home life of farmers over 70 years ago.
Pumpkins and turnips should be free of paint, wax or plastic decorations and visitors should not attempt to feed any of the animals themselves. A donation point will be available inside the museum building where the farmers will collect the vegetables to feed to the pigs and sheep as part of a healthy balanced diet.
The National Museum of Rural Life is open seven days a week from 10am until 5pm.
Tickets can be booked online at nms.ac.uk
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