Scottish Traditions

[Jock Scot]

Some common traditions are:

1. Having a family Burns supper which includes eating Haggis and wearing tartan, in January, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burns_supper

2. Wearing tartan or the kilt for Christmas and Easter dinner.

3. Celebrating St. Andrew's Day in November. see: http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch...hs/andrew.html

Some families attend their local Highland Games in the summer, but this is not really a tradition. Also, some families are involved in Scottish Country Dancing. http://www.rscds.org/

Those who have wealth are often active in their local St. Andrews Society. Here is the link to the New York chapter: http://www.standrewsny.org/

Do we? I am not at all sure that we do!

Perhaps we locals take things for granted, or perhaps we are too close to it all to notice if it is a tradition.

[ctbuchanan]

Do we? I am not at all sure that we do!

Perhaps we locals take things for granted, or perhaps we are too close to it all to notice if it is a tradition.

@Jock - I can't tell where Campbell is living now, but by his post it looks that he is speaking more to what is done here in the US to observe our heritage. I have to agree with you, for the most part my Scottish cousins think us a bit strange for what we do.

[Jock Scot]

@Jock - I can't tell where Campbell is living now, but by his post it looks that he is speaking more to what is done here in the US to observe our heritage. I have to agree with you, for the most part my Scottish cousins think us a bit strange for what we do.

Not that it matters, but I thought the OP was asking us locals to chip in.

[Cygnus]

Do we? I am not at all sure that we do!

Perhaps we locals take things for granted, or perhaps we are too close to it all to notice if it is a tradition.

I would guess it's a bit of all three (i.e., not having the tradition, taking them for granted, not noticing).

I'd say it's pretty common for traditions to be more strictly observed and celebrated when people are living away from their homeland - it's a way to remember where you've come from and the people that came before, and that's the very reason I'd like to have (at least a few) Scottish traditions for my family.

[Jock Scot]

I would guess it's a bit of all three (i.e., not having the tradition, taking them for granted, not noticing).

I'd say it's pretty common for traditions to be more strictly observed and celebrated when people are living away from their homeland - it's a way to remember where you've come from and the people that came before, and that's the very reason I'd like to have (at least a few) Scottish traditions for my family.

I think you are right. I know of few Scots that go to Burns dinners, I know few Scots that actually like haggis, I know few Scots that wear tartan at Christmas or Easter, I have my doubts that many Scots know when St Andrews day is. Kirking the tartan? What's that? Scottish Country Dancing?-----You must be joking!

I am not saying that no Scot eats haggis, for example. What I am saying is that not all of us do, or observe the other things mentioned and you may be surprised of the numbers that don't. Quite often when reading the posts here I am astounded at the knowledge of Scotland by some of the members and quietly amused and bemused by those that think they do! That is fine as it shows an interest in Scotland and invariably it is well intentioned.

A family tradition, started in 1919 by my Grand father and we still carry it on, is that on Christmas Day every one in the house drinks a toast to "absent friends". I doubt if that is done as a national tradition though.

We have our traditions for sure, but until they are pointed out to us, by people away from Scotland we probably don't notice them.

[Cygnus]

You might consider grumbling.

My grandfather was a grumbler. My father grumbled a lot. I've become proficient at grumbling. The taciturn Scot image.

And, confronting authority - a tradition of strong independence.

Haha! I should share that with my wife; she's always getting after me for being a "grumbler"!

So that's where I get it. I thought it was just my personlity, and now I find out it's genetic.

Storytelling is a tradition of the Scots. Tell family stories, stories from your youth, stories from your friends, and feel free to embellish as needed.
From what I've read here and other places, walking is a tradition/pastime of Scots. Take your family for long walks and point out the names of trees, give names to rocks and hills, and above all, encourage your children's imaginations.

Again, those are all things we already do - must be genetic, eh?

I almost forgot -- you don't mention your children's age and gender. But both my girls did traditional dancing for many years - a great way to get into the music and traditions. And of course if they are musically inclined there are the myriad of choices in that arena as well.

I have a three-year-old daughter and a one-year-old son. My daughter loved the highland dancing at the local Scottish Festival this year, so I'll certainly look into that.
My family really stresses the importance of music; I play the clarinet, saxophone, tuba, bassoon (reluctantly), and am working on the bagpipes and guitar at the moment. I think music is an important thing to learn and provides a safe and acceptable emotional outlet, so my kids have a number of toy instruments.

I think you are right. I know of few Scots that go to Burns dinners, I know few Scots that actually like haggis, I know few Scots that wear tartan at Christmas or Easter, I have my doubts that many Scots know when St Andrews day is. Kirking the tartan? What's that?

I am not saying that no Scot eats haggis, for example. What I am saying is that not all of us do, or observe the other things mentioned and you may be surprised of the numbers that don't. Quite often when reading the posts here I am astounded at the knowledge of Scotland by some of the members and quietly amused and bemused by those that think they do! That is fine as it shows an interest in Scotland and invariably it is well intentioned.

A family tradition, started in 1919 by my Grand father and we still carry it on, is that on Christmas Day every one in the house drinks a toast to "absent friends". I doubt if that is done as a national tradition though.

We have our traditions for sure, but until they are pointed out to us, by people away from Scotland we probably don't notice them.

I like that tradition, Jock (though we don't drink - that tradition, sadly, led to a lot of troubles in my family's past and I refuse to let it do the same to me and mine). I'm not surprised to hear about the observation of holidays and traditions in Scotland, especially after reading your posts about how many Scots are actually wearing the kilt these days!

EDIT: I didn't mean to sound condescending at all to those who drink responsibly - various family members of mine have not and, for this and various other reasons, I simply don't drink. I can still make and drink a toast, just not with alcohol in my glass!