Christmas is a magical time of year in Scotland. From the merriment of Glasgow’s St Enoch’s Square and George Square, the wonderful Christmas markets in Edinburgh, the beautiful Dundee Waterfront on the River Tay, and the new Festival de Noel in the picturesque Deeside town of Braemar, Scotland’s festive season has a vibrant mix of old and newer traditions for all to enjoy.
However, it wasn’t that long ago when such festivities were frowned upon – Christmas Day did not become a public holiday in Scotland until 1958, and Boxing Day did not until 1974! Why was this the case?
Did you know, Christmas was banned in Scotland for over 400 years?
In the past, Calvinist Scotland disapproved of making Christmas a fun, festive, and jolly time. Christmas, during the Protestant Reformation, was seen as a Catholic-led celebration. For many years New Year, more specifically Hogmanay, was the big celebration in Scotland. Children were not given presents at Christmas, but, at New Year, instead. Scotland still had fun though!
Let us look at some Scottish Christmas traditions:
Rowan Tree
Yule Log – no, not the dreamy, delicious chocolate one…
Celtic pagans celebrated the winter solstice around 21/22 December to brighten the bleak midwinter when they believed the Sun stood still. Druids would burn oak logs over this period to keep the darkness at bay and empower the sun.
Krampus
Recognised as a European figure, but Scotland once had its own version of this half-demon, half-goat creature who punishes naughty children at Christmas. Children on the Scottish isle of Islay (you might be familiar with the Islay malt whisky distilleries such as Ardbeg and Laphroaig, to name but two…) tried to be on their best behaviour during Advent heeding their parents’ warning of “Crom Dubh na Nollaig” (the dark crooked one of Christmas). They believed that the wind howling down the chimneys was Krampus approaching. Terrifying! And perhaps a good idea to leave out a wee dram (nip of whiskey) for Krampus…
Mistletoe kissing
Another tradition that comes from the Celtic Winter Solstice is mistletoe kissing. As the mistletoe was able to thrive even in the coldest months it was adopted as a symbol of life and fertility. The Druid priest would cut a piece of the plant, and this would be hung indoors to bring good luck. It soon became custom to kiss beneath the mistletoe, for each kiss a berry would be plucked away and when all the berries had been picked off, then the kissing would stop.
Christmas today in Scotland is much the same as in any other part of the UK
From the much sought-after latest toy, the selection boxes, the turkey, trimming or the nut roast, Christmas pudding, mince pies and mulled wine, and the carol-singing, the Christmas tree, letters to Santa, pantomime, and general excitement as most of us prepare to wind down and relax for a few days, if you enjoy Christmas you’ll feel at home here.
One or two of the traditions are still adhered to – like the mistletoe, and also the burning of a twig from a rowan tree to clear any bad feelings.
Why the rowan tree?
In Celtic mythology, a rowan near your home offered protection from witches, and nowadays, as we wind down for a few precious days in what are super busy always-on lives, perhaps some less social types might burn the rowan to keep the neighbours away or even the in-laws at bay, but most of us will be having a very festive time.
Why not join us here in Scotland for “the bells” when we have our traditional Hogmanay celebrations and the countdown to midnight for the start of the new year ahead? And, should auld acquaintance be forgot, you can always WhatsApp them from George Square in Glasgow or Princes Street Gardens in Edinburgh and send them photos of the outdoor party you are at!
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