It's well-known that Great Britain is a country of traditions and holidays. But we also know that there are some peculiar holidays celebrated in Scotland. So, talking about Scottish holidays, it's necessary to mention both traditional British and just scottish holidays.
It's Christmas time!
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Until recently, Christmas was fairly low key. It wasn't even a public holiday until 1958. Up till then, people worked normally on Christmas day, although the children did get presents. Therefore the Christmas 'traditions' in Scotland are pretty much the same modern US version. If you wanted to have a real traditional Scottish Christmas, you should go into work on Christmas day! In 1997/98 and 2001/2002 there were strikes at Scottish banks because the bank staff were getting English holidays rather than the Scottish ones which have more time off at New Year.
So, Christmas and New Year are both linked to the ancient midwinter festival; with Christmas being created as a means to make the early Christian church more acceptable to the pagans who already had a festival about that time. The same was done for Easter. Thus there a few similarities between the Hallowe'en traditions and the New Year. In many parts of the Highlands there are traditional New Year celebrations which follow the Julian calendar and fall on Jan 12th. On this night, girls would celebrate "Hallowe'en" whilst boys would celebrate New Year.
Although Christmas and its customs were in disfavor for only a short time in England (during the reign of Cromwell), Scotland ignored the holiday far longer. Bear in mind that "Christmas" is "Christ's Mass" and mass was banned in Scotland. There are records of charges being brought against people for keeping "Yule" as it was called in Scotland. Amazingly, this dour, joy-crushing attitude lasted for 400 years. It has only been in recent years that the Scots observed December 25 as a special day at all. Until the 1960s, Christmas Day was a normal working day for most people in Scotland. So if there is a specifically "Scottish" aspect to Christmas it is that it was not celebrated!
Christmas Eve in some parts of Scotland is called Sowans Nicht from "sowans" - a dish made from oat husks and fine meal steeped in water. And branches of a rowan tree were burnt on Christmas Eve to signify that any bad feeling between friends or relatives had been put aside for Yuletide.
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According to legend, it's bad luck to let the fire go out on Christmas Eve, since that is the time when the elves are abroad and only a good, roaring fire will keep them from slipping down the chimney to perform all types of mischief. On Christmas Day, it is not unusual to have a bonfire and dance to the sound of bagpipes before settling down to a hearty dinner of turkey with all the trimmings. The presents under the Christmas tree were placed there by Father Christmas just as he does in neighboring England.
Many seasonal traditions in Scotland involve fire. In Burghead, a tar-barrel is set on fire and volunteers take turns carrying it on their head before it is smashed to bits. In the Shetland Islands, a 30-ft. replica of a Viking longboat is carried in a parade before being torched and in Comrie, large torches are paraded through the streets before being tossed into the river.
The Scots celebrate Christmas rather somberly and reserve their merriment for New Year's Eve which is called Hogmanay. This word may derive from a kind of oat cake that was traditionally given to children on New Year's Eve. The first person to set foot in a residence in a New Year is thought to profoundly affect the fortunes of the inhabitants. Generally strangers are thought to bring good luck. Depending on the area, it may be better to have a dark-haired or fair-haired stranger set foot in the house. This tradition is widely known as "first footing."
Christmas Walk
Mothers Day
Mothers
Day or "Mothering Sunday" is celebrated on the fourth
Sunday of Lent (exactly three weeks before Easter Sunday) in Scotland
and the rest of the UK.
It is
believed to have originated from the 16th century Christian practice
where youngsters were forced to work away from their families, but
allowed once a year to see their Mother and attend church with the
rest of the family. It is believed that the young apprentices lads
and young lassies (often about 10 years old) who were in service were
given this time off by their bosses or 'masters' for that one weekend
in order to visit their families. |
| http://apartamentywladek.pl/mothers- |
Another custom seems to have been that although people went to their local church where they were living - it was seen that they should attend the 'mother church' or their family church and this coincided with the time they were given off work to visit their Mothers.
Over the years Mothers Day has just become a time celebrate and give thanks for Mothers (and Grandmothers). These days cards and gifts are given and it's a time to 'spoil' Mum as a way of thanking her for all she does for the family.
The gifts given are often flowers or chocolates and some schools encourage the children to make cards and/or gifts for their Mums. Some young folk take it upon themselves to start Mothers' Day by giving their Mum breakfast in bed. This can range from a cup of tea and toast to a full-blown cooked breakfast. The cards and usually a small vase of flowers might be put on the breakfast tray.
Many Churches still celebrate Mothering Sunday - and supply daffodils or other spring flowers for the children to present to their Mothers.
Mothers Day is also a time when families might go out for dinner together and most restaurants cash in on this and put on a Special Menu. Indeed you usually have to book to get a table. Adult children may treat their Mothers to something a bit more special from jewellery to a weekend in a Hotel or perhaps another more luxurious gift.
If the family can't afford to go out, perhaps the older children or/and Dad might make a special meal at home. It may interest you to know that the Simnel Cake which is now served at Easter actually used to be served as a tradition on Mothering Sunday - but that doesn't seem to be the case anymore.
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Valentine's day
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Valentine's
Day has become a great day of celebration in Scotland. It is
celebrated on 14th of February every year. Valentines Day is the time
to have fun not only for the adults but also for the children. St.
Valentines Day has emerged as an important festival of Scotland in
recent times. Anxiety and enthusiasm is same as for any other
festival. People dedicate the day to their love and wish to be
together forever.
Tradition of Valentine's Day in Scotland
In Scotland, Valentine Day has a very simple and sweet tradition associated with it. People deliver cards to their near and dear ones with special Valentine messages. These cards are popularly known as “Valentines”and are sent anonymously. Cards are designed with artificial hearts, red color and Valentine special symbols to reflect love and trust. Everyday people eagerly wait for the postman's arrival when Valentine's day is near.
Tradition of Valentine's Day in Scotland
In Scotland, Valentine Day has a very simple and sweet tradition associated with it. People deliver cards to their near and dear ones with special Valentine messages. These cards are popularly known as “Valentines”and are sent anonymously. Cards are designed with artificial hearts, red color and Valentine special symbols to reflect love and trust. Everyday people eagerly wait for the postman's arrival when Valentine's day is near.
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Craze and passion for Valentine's Day is much visible in Scottish schools as well. Children celebrate the day by making Valentine cards and filling them with valentine rhymes. Sometimes, they also write poems on the envelope to speed up the delivery by the postman.
Another very important and enthusiastically followed tradition is the search of Valentine date. According to this Scottish custom, the first young man or woman encountered on the street or elsewhere on Valentine's Day becomes his or her Valentine and the day is celebrated with them.
Valentine's Day Celebration
Valentine's Day celebrations is not a grand affair in Scotland. People prefer small get-togethers or a romantic candlelight dinner. They exchange gifts and cards with their loved ones to make them feel special.
Valentines Day in Scotland is
often celebrated by a romantic candlelight dinner in a restaurant or
hotel, or sometimes one makes the other a special
meal at home. The couple exchange gifts and cards and do what
they can to make the other feel loved and special. Of course, being
whipped away to a Castle Hotel with a 4 Poster Bed, and being served
a Champagne Breakfast in bed, is indeed something special! The
traditional gifts exchanged are, of course, red roses and
heart-shaped chocolates; these are are always popular, but other more
imaginative gifts are also given. If you love being creative, why not
make some delightful Valentine Ornaments.
Various
games are played in Scottish Valentine parties. In a most popular
game, an equal number of men and women are made to write their names
on a piece of paper which is then folded and placed into a hat. One
hat is for ladies and the other one is for men. The female then draws
one name from the men's hat and the chosen man has to stick with his
Valentine throughout the party. Later on, gifts are exchanged and
Valentine's Day is greeted with hugs and kisses. Such wonderful
Valentine games often result in unusual marriages.
Robert Burns night
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The
annual celebratory tribute to the life, works and spirit of the great
Scottish poet, Robert Burns (1759-1796). Celebrated on, or about, the
Bard's birthday, January 25th, Burns Suppers range from stentoriously
formal gatherings of esthetes and scholars to uproariously informal
rave-ups of drunkards and louts. Most Burns Suppers fall in the
middle of this range, and adhere, more or less, to some sort of time
honoured form which includes the eating of a traditional Scottish
meal, the drinking of Scotch whisky, and the recitation of works by,
about, and in
the spirit of
the Bard.
Every Burns Supper has its own
special form and flavour, though there are probably more similarities
than differences among these gastro-literary affairs. Individual
tastes and talents will determine the character of your Burns Supper.
Some celebrants may contribute the composition of original songs or
poems; some may excel at giving toasts or reciting verse; while
others may be captivating storytellers. A particular group of
celebrants will, over time, develop a unique group character which
will distinguish their Burns Supper celebration from every
other.Our core group has been meeting for 14 years. We started off on a whim, without any notion of traditional form, other than the idea that we would eat haggis, read Burns, and drink whisky (not necessarily in that order).
With a little bit of planning anyone (well, almost anyone) can enjoy a Burns Night celebration. All that's needed is a place to gather (gracious host), plenty of haggis and neeps to go around (splendid chef), a master of ceremonies (foolhardy chairman), friendly celebrants (you and your drouthy cronies), and good Scotch drink to keep you warm (BYOB). With these ingredients, at least a few celebrants will be able to make prattling fools of themselves, trying to do justice to the words and spirit of Robert Burns. And if everyone brings along a wee dram and a bit of poetry, prose or song then each, in turn, may become an object of mirth and amusement to the gathered throng. Be prepared to enjoy yourself beyond all expectation. With good cheer and gay company we all may, in short, be able to ring in the Bard's birthday fou rarely.
I've found that most people, although they may be unaware of it, love to attend Burns Suppers. They may feel a little intimidated at the idea of attending a participatory event, but are attracted by the idea of a ribald literary soiree. (They may perceive a Burns Supper to be some sort of droll intellectual exercise - it has hip cachet and doesn't sound too threatening.) These people are often wonderfully appreciative guests and end up having a great time. And therein lies a dilemma for all Burns Supper organizers: Motivating guests to be active participants, rather than passive appreciators. Everyone should feel comfortable taking part with verse, anecdote or song, but they may need a little help and encouragement. It helps if you know your guests and can match them with a suitable reading. Better still, you may be able to gently motivate them, in advance, by including an informal listing of sources along with your charming (I'm sure) Burns Supper invitation. Hopefully that, along with the good vibes and good whisky, will be all the encouragement anyone will need to lower their inhibitions to a level that Burns, himself, would appreciate.
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St Andrew's Day
Saint Andrew's Day is November 30.
Saint Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia and was Christ's first disciple.
There are around 600 pre-Reformation churches in England named after Saint Andrew, in contrast to Scotland's handful of churches of all denominations named after the saint. Nevertheless, it was Scotland that adopted Andrew as its patron - probably because, Saint Andrew being the brother of Saint Peter, it gave the Scots considerable political leverage with the Pope in pleading for help against the belligerent English!
So, it's a national holiday and during the celebrations people often wear a thistle.
Sources: http://www.robertburns.org/suppers/
http://www.scotlands-enchanting-kingdom.com/scottish-customs-and-traditions.html
http://christmas-world.freeservers.com/scotland.html
Vireo source: youtube.com
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