Scottish Christmas Traditions (& Merry Christmas!)

[BoldHighlander]

Score one for the home tradition. Really, what would the US have done without its Ulster Scots?

(Where I come from, that is known as 'leading with your chin.' )

I for one wouldn't be here ...as the majority of my father's people were Ulster Scots (most of them, however, I can trace to the highlands rather than the usual border or English version :mrgreen.

[donlp1]

Thanks for the post this is great. I tried the black bun last year but did not let it 'cure'. It was not our families favorate. It sat on the counter for about 4 months. It never went bad, but it did get tasting better. (No there was not any alcohol in it). This year I am going to do Sticky Toffee Pudding. I had it at Burn's Night last year and loved it. I hope mine will be as good.

Happy new year to all

[BoldHighlander]

Received an email from the Seattle Scottish Gaelic (Slighe nan Gaidheal) egroup I'm on, having to do with Hogmanay & the First Footing tradition practiced on the local level.
Cool!

from the Slighe nan Gaidheal newsletter:

"Only a few more days left in 2010 and then it's Calluinn or Hogmanay
(January 1st)! Everyone is invited to celebrate First Footing with several
friends who are graciously opening their homes for visitors to set the
"first foot" across their threshold in the New Year. As tradition would have
it, we ask that the actual "first foot" be that of a dark, handsome man so
that our hosts will be blessed with good luck throughout the coming year."

[Arlen]

The first footing customs can vary wildly depending on the area. For instance, in many areas you want a tall dark haired man OR a red haired woman. If it's a read haired woman she must immediately come in and tend your fire before she speaks a word. That is incredibly good luck.

The first footing gifts also change depending on the area.

Where I grew up my dad was a sought after first-footed because he's called Andrew. The whole neighbourhood would leave their housed after the bells to go and first foot each other.

It's incredibly bad luck to first foot your own house. We usually have my friend Kevin first foot us(He's a tall, dark haired Kilted Japanese German American!) and until he moved away from our street my auburn haired wife would first foot him in return.

[Mael Coluim]

My mother (Born in Liverpool of Scottish mother) had Dad each New Year exit the rear door of our home with with a piece of coal and re-enter the front door. She said it brought luck to the home to have a dark haired man enter the home first in the new year.

When I left home, my Mum gave me a piece of coal to carry on her tradition. I have been faithful. (Although the hair is grey, now!)
To you Mum!

[Lallans]

Received an email from the Seattle Scottish Gaelic (Slighe nan Gaidheal) egroup I'm on, having to do with Hogmanay & the First Footing tradition practiced on the local level.
Cool!

from the Slighe nan Gaidheal newsletter:

"Only a few more days left in 2010 and then it's Calluinn or Hogmanay
(January 1st)! Everyone is invited to celebrate First Footing with several
friends who are graciously opening their homes for visitors to set the
"first foot" across their threshold in the New Year. As tradition would have
it, we ask that the actual "first foot" be that of a dark, handsome man so
that our hosts will be blessed with good luck throughout the coming year."

I thought Hogmanay is New Years Eve, strictly speaking?