Research is being carried out into an unusual pre-nuptial ritual.

Engaged couples in Scotland face 'the blackening' where the bride and groom are coated in treacle, flour, sauce, coal dust; and then paraded in public for maximum embarrassment.

The custom is believed to ward off evil spirits and still takes place regularly in parts of Scotland today.

BBC Scotland's Rachel Massie has been to find out more about the research at the University of Aberdeen.