How Is Halloween Celebrated In Scotland?

[Bugbear]

Just wondering what you all do over in Scotland during Halloween?

[cessna152towser]

There is not a lot happens around here in the Scottish Borders to mark Hallowe'en, though when I was a child we used to go trick or treating after dark. Last year there was a low key fancy hat event at Ann's nursing home and a few of us had a kilt night in Lockerbie on the Friday night. I think in recent years, Guy Fawkes Day, 5th November, has become a more popular substitute here in Scotland as it celebrates the attempt to blow up of the English Parliament by Guy Fawkes in 1605, certainly within the past few years there seem to be more and more fireworks and bonfires on that date (and for about a week beforehand!).
However Hallowe'en is still a big tradition across the border in the north of England with many adults dressing up for the day, especially if Hallowe'en falls at a weekend as it does this year. The kids over there go in for pumpkin lanterns and still go trick or treating round the houses in the evening.
I am planning on going across the border to Whitby for Hallowe'en as I did last year, will wear my goth kilt, and will take photos of other people in costume.
Here is a link to last year's pics:-
http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...penings-54538/

[Lallans]

I have British relatives, also Border folk, who deplore the cultural intrusion of the horrible American holiday, Halloween. Totally ironic, but I'm used to it. At least one of them blames the Halloween importation of those small handout-sized US chocolate bars by "American" expats; apparently these are a irresistable drug to the young. Of course they should be blaming the Irish for the original idea, and I happen to know that it's actually Canadians who are affecting them locally, but the US will just have to bear the blame.

[Jimmy]

it is the only night of the year my mother-in-law can go out and nobody gives her a second glance

[Spc. Scott]

it is the only night of the year my mother-in-law can go out and nobody gives her a second glance

[EHCAlum]

Whats wrong with Halloween? Its the only time women can dress up completely trashy and *not safe for family forum word here* and not get chastised.

[Urchurdan]

it is the only night of the year my mother-in-law can go out and nobody gives her a second glance

Nice wan Jimmy, can mine join yours coven???? LoL..........

[Pleater]

We didn't celebrate Halloween at all. Fifty years ago in Yorkshire, in the North of England we only knew about apple bobbing because we saw it in the movies.

One year my sister wanted to make a turnip lantern, I think because they had been told about them at school, and our mum was scandalised at the thought of wasting good food.

Now - Bonfire night, that was when the whole row got together and had a fire and fireworks, toffee apples, baked potatoes, hot pies and pease pudding - that was always a big event.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Bugbear]

it is the only night of the year my mother-in-law can go out and nobody gives her a second glance

well im glad i live in this part of scotland....... the kids go for happy halloweening (not trick or treating lol) the adults (myself in included for once ) plan to dress up as much as possible then head off to a party and get sloshed on some cider and blackcurrant.... games will be bobbing for apples wrap the mummy and general craziness aswell
then a good bit of grub that night including more booze for everyone

think of it as newyear without the bells unless your dressed as Quasimodo

Sounds like fun.

What kind of grub? And what is "cider and blackcurrant like?
Also, if anyone still does, how do you carve your turnip lanterns?

[skauwt]

Sounds like fun.

What kind of grub? And what is "cider and blackcurrant like?
Also, if anyone still does, how do you carve your turnip lanterns?

the grub tends to be mostly stewed meat/sausage and sausage rolls... crisps also the usual vegetable soup peanuts etc. enough party food to fill a empty stomach that's for sure and well cider and blackcurrant...... hard to explain really its almost like drinking a softdrink nice strong drink with a pleasant after-taste, cordial blackcurrant is best used and any cider works at all ,i like my dry cider myself never been one for the sweeter scrumpy

oh and mind use the spare turnip for the veggie soup