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Traditional Celtic and Non Celtic Festivals of Scotland
Braemar Gathering – First Saturday in September
The
origins are said to go back to the 11th century when King
Malcolm III “Canmore”
gave a prize to the winner of a race to the top of Craig Choinnich.
In 1848 Queen Victoria attended the games and since then the Royal
Family has been associated with them.
Michaelmas
Day – September 29th
St.
Michael was the patron saint of the sea and sailors and his day is
celebrated in the West of Scotland in particular. It was a custom in the
isle of Barra to bake a bannock from the first grain of the year and give
everyone a piece to eat on that day.
St.
Luke’s Day – October 18th
It’s
also known as “Sour Cakes Day” because baked cakes were eaten with
sour cream in Rutherglen.
It’s
the last day of the year in the old Celtic calendar. It was celebrated by
the Druids as “Samhain” from “Sain”· meaning summer and
“fuin” meaning “ending”. It was associated with witches and
celebrated with bonfires and “guising”, as children dressed up and
went round the near houses with “tattie bogles” or “neep lanterns”
(candles inside turnips).
The
pumpkin is used for the same purpose in USA.
All
Souls Day – November 2nd
Prayers
are said for the souls of the dead and alms given to the poor.
It
was celebrated to remember the attempt by Guy Fawkes to blow up the Houses
of Parliament with 20 barrels of gunpowder in 1605. Bonfires, fireworks
and “Penny for the Guy” (an effigy of Guy Fawkes) provide an excuse
for children to plead for money from passers by.
This is celebrated mainly in England.
Martinmas
– November 11th
The
last Scottish legal “Quarter Day” when rents and contracts fell due.
Since fodder was becoming scarce by this time of the year, cattle were
often killed. As a by-product, the offal was mixed with oatmeal to make
haggis and the blood was used to make black puddings.
St.
Andrew’s Day – November 30
Although
St. Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland since a Pictish victory
in a battle in 747 AD, November 30th is not a public holiday in
Scotland. The St. Andrew’s Day is celebrated by Scots around the world.
Sowans Nicht – Christmas
Eve
In
some parts of Scotland, Christmas Eve is called “Sowans Nicht”.
Branches of a rowan tree used to be burnt on Christmas Eve to symbolize
that any bad feeling between friends or relatives had been put aside for
Yuletide.
Christmas
– December 25th
The
Celts had celebrations during the winter solstice in part to brighten the
darkest days and in part to propitiate the gods to allow the sun to return.
In Norse mythology, Odin the gift-bringer, swept across the night sky in a
chariot drawn by horses. The Christian Church took over the festival but
some of the customs harked back to pagan roots. The Yule log was burned in
the fireplace, people kissed under the mistletoe and the house was
decorated with holly. During
the Church Reformation in the 16th century, these traditions
were frowned on by the Kirk which regarded Christmas as a popish festival.
Mass was banned in Scotland at that time. This lasted 400 years.
In Scotland, Christmas Day was a normal working day, that is to say
it was not celebrated. Its celebration started thanks to Prince Albert,
Queen Victoria’s husband, so England and Scotland developed the same
traditions (Christmas trees, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus presents,
stockings at the end of the bed, Christmas carols, cards, etc). Christmas
cards are said to be invented in Edinburgh in mid 19th century.
Boxing
Day – December 26th
A
day in which gifts in boxes are exchanged.
Hogmanay
– New Year’s Eve – December 31st
The
origins of the word "Hogmanay" are lost in the past. Some say it
is from the Norse "Hoggunott" or “night of slaughter” when
animals were killed for a midwinter feast. Also, some say that it is from
"Huh-me-naay" or “kiss me now” when even strangers embraced.
Another theory is that it
comes from the French "Hoguinane".
First Four-Month / Second Four-Month
Copyright Monica Loreto
