英国斯特灵华人社区
Stirling Chinese
[转载] 苏格兰的传统节日
frank1226(2007/3/15 7:44:47) 点击:102285 回复:1 IP:217.* * *
frank1226(2007/3/15 7:44:47) 点击:102285 回复:1 IP:217.* * *
除夕夜 - 对新一年到来的庆祝，并不是苏格兰的唯一传统节日。苏格兰人在过去有许多本民族和当地的节日庆祝活动，这其中有一些庆祝活动幸运的一直保持到今天。以下是一些精选的苏格兰传统节日的信息，介绍了从1月1日开始，到苏格兰日历上最重要的节日——12月31日的除夕夜为止。
第一步——1月1日
在除夕刚刚过后，也就是在一月一号清晨拜访亲朋好友。在新年的钟声敲响的之后就迈出‘第一步’的习俗直到现在还是很普遍的——在午夜后迈出‘第一步’的应该是皮肤黝黑的英俊男性，并且应象征性地携带上煤、脆饼、盐、黑面包（一种蛋糕），当然了，还有威士忌。
在奥克尼郡的Kirkwall，在镇里的街道上，uppies和Doonies之间，更确切的说是“Up-the-Gates ”和“Doon-the-Gates” （来源于古挪威语“gata”意思是小路或大道）之间将举行New Year Ba' Game ，这个游戏常常在1月1号举行。
贺礼星期一——新年的第一个周一
传统上雇主将在这天给他的雇员送礼物，而不是在圣诞节。但有的地区会固定在1月12号进行此项活动。
Burning of the Clavie——1月11号
在Burghead，海鳗鱼和一只装满了被油浸过的木刨花的焦油桶被搬到港口周围，之后再到凯尔特的德鲁伊教团员经常点篝火的Doorie 山上去
Up-Helly-aa——一月的最后一个周二
活动在设得兰群岛的Lerwick举行，一个全尺寸装有盾和桨的海盗船，被举着火把穿着像北欧海盗的武士的行进队伍拉着驶向沙滩。Guizer的首领要求为此船的制造者敬三次酒。并且在长号响过之后，这条船被800个炽烧的火把点燃。
彭斯之夜——1月15日
这一天是诗人罗伯特•彭斯（1759年出生）的诞辰周年纪念，在这一天人们消费许多的“彭斯的晚餐”。并且会进行赞扬吟游诗人的讲演《不朽的纪念》。
圣烛节——2月2日
作为一个罗马节日，圣烛节开始时为了庆祝春天的回归。现在它是苏格兰的法定季度结算日，是租金和其它款项支付的截止日。有一首古老的民俗诗这样描述这一天：
假如圣烛节晴朗而明媚，
冬天的另一半就要来临。
假如圣烛节昏暗而肮脏，
冬天的另一半在圣诞时就已结束了。
圣瓦伦丁节（情人节）——2月14日
在过去，这一天曾经是当年长的哥哥姐姐们试图找到一个甜心爱人时，年轻人索取糖果，钱和水果的机会。人们常在纸上面写上名字，把它被放在一个帽子中，然后每个人抽出一张纸条。如果同一个名字被抽出来三次，就意味着一桩姻缘就要发生了！
Whuppity Scoorie——3月1日
一个由Lanark的少年举办的喧闹庆典，这是对一个时期的回忆，在这个时期孩子们喜欢制造大量的噪音，他们相信这样的噪音可以吓跑可怕的幽灵。由共同利益基金提供的钱币被抛撒在地上，孩子们争抢着拾起它们。活动参与者用被绳拴着的纸球（或者草帽——轻便的多了）互相的攻击。
原创的新年——3月25日
凯尔特人的新年在11月1号庆祝。后来到了1600年，苏格兰用的格里历（阳历），规定了新年为3月25日。
Fastern E'en——四旬斋的前一个周二
这是在四旬斋的前一个周二举办的一个狂欢节兼宴会。在宴会上，肉、黄油、和脂肪都被吃光了。在苏格兰周围，这一天有不同的名字，比如燕麦饼之夜、牛肉麦片汤、忏悔之夜。在一些地区，进行一种粗暴的足球或手球游戏，比如在Jedburgh ，一种叫做Callant's Ba'的粗暴手球游戏在uppies和downies中进行。
复活节——日期不确定
在前基督教时期有一个纪念撒克逊人的丰产女神“Eastre”的节日，而在基督教时期形成了统一的基督教历法。它的日期是可变化的，因为这种历法的计算基于月亮的周期。在苏格兰，到了这一天，人们烤出含有香料和水果的，带有白油酥圈的十字面包，而且在耶稣受难日这一天，人们不去做任何的耕作和播种，而将着了色的煮熟了的的鸡蛋滚下山去的习俗也将会在复活节后的星期一举行。
猎取布谷鸟（愚人节）——4月1日
这一天，人们都会搞恶作剧，说谎互相愚弄，但是玩笑必须在正午前结束。之所以叫愚人节，因为“猎取布谷鸟”原本是让某个人去完成一项荒唐的差事。
Dinna 大笑, dinna微笑 。但愚弄人并不这么简单。
贴尾巴节——4月2日
这个节日紧跟着愚人节而来，在这一天人们为了开玩笑而将纸尾巴贴在没觉察到的人的背上。
峡谷星期六——四月的第一或第三个周六
这一天Ayrshire（苏格兰西南部一州） Kilmarnock 的孩子们到Crawfurdland城摘水仙花。
圣灵降临节——复活节后的第七个周日
这是苏格兰的另一个季结账日期，这一天，租金到期了。
五朔节——5月1日
这是一个起源于基督教时代以前由腓尼基的太阳神巴力发起的异教徒火节，目的是为了促进庄稼生长。几世纪以来在苏格兰的大部分地区五月初会有一个假期。年轻的姑娘们会早早的起床用五月的露水清洗她们的脸颊。在这时点火的传统形成了地域性的名称，比如在 Ayrshire 叫Tarbolton (“tor”意思是山，而“Bolton”来源于五朔节)。古代的督伊德教火节已经被“新世纪”的追随者复苏 ，这些人曾在爱丁堡历史上的奥尔顿山聚集在了一块。
帝国日/维多利亚日——5月24日
这一天大英帝国的旗帜在公共建筑物上飘扬，并且学校的教室都装饰上了大英帝国的国旗。这一天的名字被改成了共和国日。为了庆祝女王维多利亚的诞辰日，在苏格兰的许多地方离5月24日最近的周一是当地的商业假期，这个传统自维多利亚开始统治英国时就一直持续着。
Guid Nychburris – 六月中旬
这是一个Dumfries节，它起源于一个法庭上，这个法庭解决了邻居之间的纠纷而使他们”成为了好邻居。南方的女王的加冕仪式就在这个长达一周的节日里举行。
Lanimer – 6月17日
在Lanark举行， Lanimer 日（地标或边界的消失）这一天房子装饰满了草木，并且会有Lanimer 的展览会。
Selkirk's共享的骑马运动——6月18日
骑马队典礼在苏格兰周围的许多地方是一种传统，而且这个传统一直在苏格兰周边地区存在着。Selkirk的典礼尤其著名，记得在1488年6月它参加了Flodden战役，但在Langholm, Lauder, Peebles, Annan, Linlithgow 和Sanquhar这些地方也有相同的节日（但在不同的日期）。
格拉斯哥集市 ——7月最后2周
起初，一个真正的集市起源于1190年William the Lion 的一个特许令，但是后来，7月的最后两周，在这时工厂和办公室都关闭休暑假了，Maw, Paw,孩子们就到“ Doon the Watter”（克莱德河）那儿的度假胜地去了。
收获节——8月1日
有凯尔特人的“Lugnasaid”宴会，这大约是这个节日的起源吧。其他人认为它是当用源自丰收的第一批谷子烤面包时“Loafmas”的腐败物，现在这一天变成了苏格兰法定的租金和合同到期的“四季结算日”。
玛利亚节——8月15日
这一天人们会在火炉上烤一种薄饼（或蛋糕）来纪念圣母玛利亚。
Braemar 聚集——9月的第一个周六
这个苏格兰主要的节日的起源据说要回溯到11世纪，那时马尔科姆三世“Canmore “嘉奖了一个向Craig Choinnich进发比赛的优胜者，1848年维多利亚女王通过参与这些比赛确保了这个活动保持到现在，王室家族从那时起就一直和这些运动相连了。
米迦乐节——9月29日
圣迈克尔是海的守护神，水手和它的圣徒纪念日会专门在苏格兰西部庆祝。在小岛上抑或是小船上，一个新谷子烤成的薄饼将在圣迈克尔节上食用，而且每个人都可以分到一块吃。
圣路加日——10月18日
以“酸味蛋糕日”闻名，王室特区Rutherglen有一种特殊的节日，在这一天，人们吃烤蛋糕时连同酸奶一块吃。
万圣节前夕——10月30日
万圣节的晚上，在古凯特尔日历中一年的的最后一天。德鲁伊教团员庆祝这个节日作为夏天和结束，“Sain”意味着夏天，“ fuin”意味着结束。其中伴随着巫术，大篝火和乔装打扮，孩子们乔装打扮好带着麻布妖怪和萝卜灯笼（蜡烛在芜箐甘蓝中）拜访附近的人家。在美国南瓜起到与之相同的作用。有一首罗伯特•彭斯写的关于万圣节的长诗，这首诗很好的描述了他那个时代的这个习俗的情况。
灵魂日- 11月2日
在这一天将为死去的灵魂祈祷，将会向穷人施舍。
盖伊•福克斯日——11月5日
为了不忘记1605年盖伊•福克斯试图用20桶火药炸掉国会大厦的意图，这一天有篝火、爆竹，还有给孩子们的硬币（关于盖伊•福克斯的坏印象，给孩子们向路人乞钱提供了一个借口）。这不是独属于苏格兰的而是遍布英国的节日。但这个节日开始于英国的统一之后不久，那时苏格兰的詹姆士六世也成为了英格兰和威尔士的国王。
圣马丁节——11月11日
这是苏格兰最后一个法定的结算日。这一天租金和契约都将到期。在一年的这个时候，从草料变得稀缺时起，家养的牲畜就常常被屠宰。作为屠宰的副产品，牲畜的下水和着麦片煮食物，牲畜的血被用来做黑布丁。
圣安德鲁日——11月31日
虽然从公元747年皮克特族在一次战役中胜利开始，圣安德鲁一直是苏格兰的守护神，11月30日在苏格兰却不是公共的假日。事实上，圣安德鲁之夜更多被移居海外的居住于世界各地的苏格兰人庆祝。
Sowan Nicht——圣诞节前夜
在苏格兰的一些地区，圣诞前夜被叫做“Sowans Nicht” ，来源于”sowans”——一种由浸泡在水中的燕麦苎麻壳和精良的粗谷粉制成的餐盘。在圣诞前夜欧洲花椒的枝干被焚烧为了表示任何与朋友和亲戚之间的怀心情都因为圣诞节被撇开了。
圣诞节——12月25日
像许多古老的民族一样，尤其是那些处于北纬的民族，冬天天短夜长。凯尔特族的异教徒们在冬至日左右几天庆祝他们的节日。部分是为了是最黑暗的日子变得明亮起来，还有一部分是为了劝上帝同意太阳回到人间,。在挪威人的神话里，欧丁神，礼物携带者，乘着马拉的战车划过夜晚的天际。过去基督教的教堂掌管了这个庆典，但一些传统又回到了异教徒那里。圣诞园木在壁炉中烧毁了，在槲寄生下有密切关系（与督伊德教的丰产仪式相联），并且房子被冬青树装饰好了（常青树常常引起崇敬的心情）。
但在16世纪教会改革期间，这些传统不被苏格兰教会认同，他们认为圣诞是天主教的节日。但他们在心里牢记圣诞节是救世主的弥撒，在当时弥撒在苏格兰被禁止了并存有关于反对人们保持在苏格兰叫做耶稣圣诞节的责令纪录。而令人惊讶的是，这样顽强的、乐观的态度保持了400年，直到19世纪60年代，教会圣诞节对大多数人来说还是一个正常的工作日。因此如果有一个特定的苏格兰的意义上的圣诞，教会的圣诞就不被庆祝。
传统的（而不是宗教的节日）圣诞庆祝在19世纪产生（艾伯特国王，维多利亚的丈夫，与之有很大关系！），大约在那时起英格兰和苏格兰发展了相同的传统——圣诞树，装饰品，圣诞老人或圣人尼古拉，礼物，在床尾的长统袜，圣诞颂歌，圣诞卡片等等。圣诞卡据说从19世纪中叶在爱丁堡就发明了。
节礼日——12月26日
这一天是另外一个交换礼物（装在盒子里的）的日子。
除夕夜新年前夕——12月31日
“除夕”这个词在过去曾丢失了。一些人说它起源于挪威语的“Hoggunott”或屠宰之夜，这一夜，人们屠宰动物作冬至宴会之用。并且它来源于”Huh-me-naay”或当陌生人都互相拥抱时现在亲吻我。另外一种理论说法是它来自法国的 “Hoguinane” ，孩子们在蛋糕节上吟唱它。
到现在为止，除夕仍是一个苏格兰的比圣诞节要重要的节日。历史学家们相信我们从海盗——来自比我们更北方更远方的人那里继承来的节日，在过去的短时期内被给予了更多的关注。然而很显然的这个节日被世界各地庆祝，与这个事件相关，苏格兰对之有更长时间的更丰富的继承。当整个国家在午夜的铜铃声中庆祝圣诞时，彭斯的歌曲“美好的昔日”正在逝去。
在12月31日这一天有像清扫屋子这样的传统（以清洁闻名），也包括在白天当煤火不旺时把灰烬从火里掏出。苏格兰是大不列颠联合王国中唯一在1月1号和2号拥有法定假日的地区——所以我们可以恢复额外的12月31日了作法定假日了！
Traditional Scottish Festivals
Hogmanay, the celebration of bringing in the New Year, is not the only traditional festival in Scotland. Many national and local celebrations took place in the past and some survive to this day. Here is a selection which starts on 1 January and finishes on the major celebration on the Scottish calendar - Hogmanay on 31 December.
First footing - 1st January
Visiting friends and relatives immediately after New Year's Eve, in the early hours of the morning of January 1st. First footing after the bells have rung in the New Year is still common - the "first foot" in the house after midnight should be male, dark, and handsome and should carry symbolic coal, shortbread, salt, black bun ( a spiced cake) and, of course, whisky.
In Kirkwall, Orkney, there is a New Year Ba' Game held in the streets of the town which can last most of January 1st, between the Uppies and the Doonies, or more correctly, "Up-the-Gates" and "Doon-the-Gates" from Old Norse "gata" (path or road).
Handsel Monday - first Monday of the New Year
Traditionally this was the day on which handsel (presents) were given by employers to their staff, rather than on Christmas Day. Alternatively, in some areas, this was done on January 12th.
Burning of the Clavie - 11th January
In Burghead, Morayshire, a tar barrel filled with tar-soaked wood shavings is carried around the harbour and then to the Doorie Hill where the Celtic Druids used to light their fires.
Up-Helly-aa - Last Tuesday of January
Held in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, a full sized Viking Galley, complete with shields and oars is pulled by a torch-bearing procession dressed as Viking warriors to the beach. Guizer Jarl calls for three cheers for the builders of the longship and after a bugle call, the galley is set alight by 800 blazing torches.
Burns Night - 25 January
The anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns, in 1759 at which many a "Burns Supper" is consumed and the "Immortal Memory", a speech in praise of the Bard, will be given.
Candlemas Day - 2 February
Candlemas began as a Roman festival to celebrate the return of spring. It is now a Scottish legal "quarter day" when rents and other payments fall due. There is an old traditional poem which said that
"If Candlemas Day be bright and fair
Half the winter is to come and mair (more)
If Candlemas Day be dark and foul
Half the winter was over at Yowl (Christmas)
St Valentine's Day - 14th February
This used to be an excuse for youngsters to go round begging for sweets, money or fruit, while older brothers and sisters tried to find a sweetheart. "Name-papers" were sometimes used where names were written and placed in a bonnet and and each person drew out a paper. If the same name was drawn three times, it meant a marriage would take place!
Whuppity Scoorie - 1st March
A rumbustious celebration by the young lads of Lanark. It is a relic of the days when making a lot of noise was believed to frighten away the evil spirits. Pennies supplied by money from the Common Good Fund was thrown and the children scrambled to pick it up. Balls of paper (or bonnets - a lot softer!) tied with string were used by the participants to strike one another.
Original New Year - 25th March
The Celtic New Year was celebrated on Samhain (November 1st). Then, until 1600, the Gregorian Calendar which was used in Scotland, placed New Year on 25th March.
Fastern's E'en - Last Tuesday Before Lent
This was a carnival and feast held on the last Tuesday before the sacrifices of Lent, during which meat, butter and fat were used up. Around Scotland the day had different names such as Bannock Night, Beef Brose and Shriften E'en. In some places there was a rowdy game of football or handball, for example in Jedburgh, a rowdy game of handball called the Callant's Ba' was held between the "uppies" and the "downies".
Easter - Variable Dates
There was a festival for "Eastre", a Saxon goddess of fertility, in pre-Christian times which was integrated into the Christian calendar. The date is moveable, because the calculation is based on phases of the moon. In Scotland, to this day, "hot cross buns" are baked, containing spices and fruit and with a white pastry cross. On Good Friday, no ploughing was done and no seed was sown. The custom of rolling painted, hard-boiled eggs down a hill took place on Easter Monday.
Hunt the Gowk - 1st April
On this day people would play tricks and tell lies to catch each other out. But the jokes had to stop at mid-day. Now called April Fool's Day, hunting the gowk was originally sending someone on a foolish errand.
"Dinna laugh, an' dinna smile
But hunt the gowk another mile"
Preen-tail Day or Tailie Day - 2nd April
The day following All Fool's Day when paper tails were attached to the backs of unsuspecting people as a joke.
Glen Saturday - the first or third Saturday in April
The day when the children of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire went to Crawfurdland Castle to pick daffodils.
Whitsunday - the seventh Sunday after Easter
Another Scottish legal quarter day when rents fell due.
Beltane's Day - 1st May
A pagan fire festival which goes back to pre-Christian times - originating with Baal in Phoenicia. It was supposed to encourage the crops to grow. There has been a holiday at the start of May in many parts of Scotland for centuries. Young girls would also rise early to wash their faces in the May dew. The custom of lighting fires at this time has come through in place names such as Tarbolton in Ayrshire ("tor" meaning hill and "bolton" from "Beltane"). The ancient Druidic Fire Festival has been revived by "New Age" followers who gather on the historic Calton Hill in Edinburgh.
Empire Day/Victoria Day - 24th May
Flags were flown from public buildings and schools decorated classrooms with flags of the British Empire. The name was changed to Commonwealth Day. The nearest Monday to 24th May was a local trades holiday in many parts of Scotland to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday and the tradition has continued long after Queen Victoria's reign.
Guid Nychburris - mid June
This is a Dumfries festival which has its origins in a court which resolved disputes between neighbours to make them "Guid Nychburris" or good neighbours. The Queen of the South is crowned during the week-long festivities.
Lanimer Day - 17th June
Held in Lanark, Lanimer Day (a corruption of "landemark" or boundary) is when the houses are decorated with greenery and there is a Lanimer Fair.
Selkirk Common Riding - 18th June
A ceremony of Riding the Marches or boundaries is traditional in a number of locations around Scotland, and the tradition has still survived particularly in the Scottish Borders. Selkirk's is particularly well known, remembering as it does the Battle of Flodden in June 1488, but there are similar festivities (on differing dates) in Langholm, Lauder, Peebles, Annan, Linlithgow and Sanquhar.
Glasgow Fair - last two weeks in July
Originally a real fair established by a charter from William the Lion in 1190, but latterly the last two weeks in July when factories and offices closed for summer holidays and Maw, Paw and the Weans went "Doon the Watter" (River Clyde) to the holiday resorts there.
Lammas - 1st August
There was a Celtic feast of "Lugnasaid" and this may have been the origins of this festival. Others believe it was a corruption of "Loafmas" when a loaf was baked with the first grain frm the harvest. It is now a Scottish legal "Quarter Day" when rents and contracts fall due.
Marymas - 15th August
A bannock (cake) was toasted on a fire in honour of the Virgin Mary.
Braemar Gathering - First Saturday in September
The origin of this major Highland Games is 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. Queen Victoria ensured the success of the games into modern times by attending them in 1848 and the Royal family has been associated with them ever since.
Michaelmas Day - 29th September
St Michael was the patron saint of the sea and sailors and his saint's day was celebrated in the West of Scotland in particular. In the island if Barra, a bannock was baked from the first grain of the year and eaten on St Michael's day. Everyone was given a piece to eat.
St Luke's Day, 18th October
Known also as "Sour Cakes Day", there were particular celebrations in the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen, with the baking of cakes eaten with sour cream.
Halloween - 31 October
The evening of All Hallows (Saints) Day and 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 neighbouring houses with "tattie bogles" or "neep lanterns" (candles inside turnips). The pumpkin serves the same purpose in the USA. There is a (long) poem by Robert Burns on Hallowe'en which gives a good description of the traditions which were followed in his day.
All Souls Day - 2nd November
Prayers were said for the souls of the dead and alms given to the poor.
Guy Fawkes - 5 November
Recalling 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, providing an excuse for children to plead for money from passers-by). This is not a specifically Scottish festivity - it is UK wide but it took place shortly after the Union of the Crowns when King James VI of Scotland became king of England and Wales also.
Martinmas - 11 November
The last Scottish legal "Quarter Day" when rents and contracts fell due. Since fodder was becoming scarce by this time of the tear, cattle were often killed at this time. As a by-product of this the offal was mixed with oatmeal to make haggis and the blood used to make black puddings.
St Andrew's Day - 30 November
Although St Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland since a Pictish victory in a battle in 747AD, 30 November is not a public holiday in Scotland. Indeed, St Andrew's night is celebrated more by expatriate Scots around the world.
Sowans Nicht - Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve in some parts of Scotland is called "Sowans Nicht" from "sowans" - a dish made from oat husks and fine meal steeped in water. And branches of a rowan tree were burnt on Christmas Eve to signify that any bad feeling between friends or relatives had been put aside for Yuletide.
Christmas - 25th December
Like many ancient races, particularly those located in the northern latitudes, where winter days were short and the nights long, the pagan Celts had celebrations around the time of the winter solstice, in part to brighten the darkest days, 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 traditions harked back to the pagan roots. The Yule log was burned in the fireplace, there was kissing under the mistletoe (related to a Druidic fertility rite) and the house was decorated with holly (evergreen trees were regarded with reverence).
But during the Church Reformation in the 16th century these traditions were frowned on by the Kirk which regarded Christmas as a popish festival. Bear in mind that "Christmas" is "Christ's Mass" and mass was banned in Scotland at that time. There are records of charges being brought against people for keeping "Yule" as it was called in Scotland. Amazingly, this dour, joy-crushing attitude lasted for 400 years. Until the 1960s, Christmas Day was a normal working day for most people in Scotland. So if there is a specifically "Scottish" aspect to Christmas it is that it was not celebrated!
The "traditional" Christmas celebrations (other than the religious festival) originated in the 19th century (Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, had a lot to do with it!) and England and Scotland developed the same traditions from around that time - Christmas trees, decorations, Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas, presents, stockings at the end of the bed, Christmas carols Christmas cards etc. Christmas cards are said to have been invented in Edinburgh in the mid-nineteenth century.
Boxing Day - 26th December
Yet another day on which gifts (in boxes) were exchanged.
Hogmanay - New Year's Eve, 31 December
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 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" sung by children on "Cake Day".
To this day, Hogmanay is still a more important festival in Scotland than Christmas. Historians believe that we inherited the celebration from the Vikings who, coming from even further north than ourselves, paid even more attention to the passing of the shortest day. While clearly celebrated around the world, the Scots have a long rich heritage associated with this event, when the whole country celebrates in the build up to "the bells" chiming midnight - and Burns' song "Auld Lang Syne" is murdered once again!
There are traditions such as cleaning the house (known as "redding") on 31st December (including taking out the ashes from the fire in the days when coal fires were common). And Scotland is the only part of the UK that has a statutory holiday on 2nd January as well as 1st January - so we can recover from the excesses of 31 December!
第一步——1月1日
在除夕刚刚过后，也就是在一月一号清晨拜访亲朋好友。在新年的钟声敲响的之后就迈出‘第一步’的习俗直到现在还是很普遍的——在午夜后迈出‘第一步’的应该是皮肤黝黑的英俊男性，并且应象征性地携带上煤、脆饼、盐、黑面包（一种蛋糕），当然了，还有威士忌。
在奥克尼郡的Kirkwall，在镇里的街道上，uppies和Doonies之间，更确切的说是“Up-the-Gates ”和“Doon-the-Gates” （来源于古挪威语“gata”意思是小路或大道）之间将举行New Year Ba' Game ，这个游戏常常在1月1号举行。
贺礼星期一——新年的第一个周一
传统上雇主将在这天给他的雇员送礼物，而不是在圣诞节。但有的地区会固定在1月12号进行此项活动。
Burning of the Clavie——1月11号
在Burghead，海鳗鱼和一只装满了被油浸过的木刨花的焦油桶被搬到港口周围，之后再到凯尔特的德鲁伊教团员经常点篝火的Doorie 山上去
Up-Helly-aa——一月的最后一个周二
活动在设得兰群岛的Lerwick举行，一个全尺寸装有盾和桨的海盗船，被举着火把穿着像北欧海盗的武士的行进队伍拉着驶向沙滩。Guizer的首领要求为此船的制造者敬三次酒。并且在长号响过之后，这条船被800个炽烧的火把点燃。
彭斯之夜——1月15日
这一天是诗人罗伯特•彭斯（1759年出生）的诞辰周年纪念，在这一天人们消费许多的“彭斯的晚餐”。并且会进行赞扬吟游诗人的讲演《不朽的纪念》。
圣烛节——2月2日
作为一个罗马节日，圣烛节开始时为了庆祝春天的回归。现在它是苏格兰的法定季度结算日，是租金和其它款项支付的截止日。有一首古老的民俗诗这样描述这一天：
假如圣烛节晴朗而明媚，
冬天的另一半就要来临。
假如圣烛节昏暗而肮脏，
冬天的另一半在圣诞时就已结束了。
圣瓦伦丁节（情人节）——2月14日
在过去，这一天曾经是当年长的哥哥姐姐们试图找到一个甜心爱人时，年轻人索取糖果，钱和水果的机会。人们常在纸上面写上名字，把它被放在一个帽子中，然后每个人抽出一张纸条。如果同一个名字被抽出来三次，就意味着一桩姻缘就要发生了！
Whuppity Scoorie——3月1日
一个由Lanark的少年举办的喧闹庆典，这是对一个时期的回忆，在这个时期孩子们喜欢制造大量的噪音，他们相信这样的噪音可以吓跑可怕的幽灵。由共同利益基金提供的钱币被抛撒在地上，孩子们争抢着拾起它们。活动参与者用被绳拴着的纸球（或者草帽——轻便的多了）互相的攻击。
原创的新年——3月25日
凯尔特人的新年在11月1号庆祝。后来到了1600年，苏格兰用的格里历（阳历），规定了新年为3月25日。
Fastern E'en——四旬斋的前一个周二
这是在四旬斋的前一个周二举办的一个狂欢节兼宴会。在宴会上，肉、黄油、和脂肪都被吃光了。在苏格兰周围，这一天有不同的名字，比如燕麦饼之夜、牛肉麦片汤、忏悔之夜。在一些地区，进行一种粗暴的足球或手球游戏，比如在Jedburgh ，一种叫做Callant's Ba'的粗暴手球游戏在uppies和downies中进行。
复活节——日期不确定
在前基督教时期有一个纪念撒克逊人的丰产女神“Eastre”的节日，而在基督教时期形成了统一的基督教历法。它的日期是可变化的，因为这种历法的计算基于月亮的周期。在苏格兰，到了这一天，人们烤出含有香料和水果的，带有白油酥圈的十字面包，而且在耶稣受难日这一天，人们不去做任何的耕作和播种，而将着了色的煮熟了的的鸡蛋滚下山去的习俗也将会在复活节后的星期一举行。
猎取布谷鸟（愚人节）——4月1日
这一天，人们都会搞恶作剧，说谎互相愚弄，但是玩笑必须在正午前结束。之所以叫愚人节，因为“猎取布谷鸟”原本是让某个人去完成一项荒唐的差事。
Dinna 大笑, dinna微笑 。但愚弄人并不这么简单。
贴尾巴节——4月2日
这个节日紧跟着愚人节而来，在这一天人们为了开玩笑而将纸尾巴贴在没觉察到的人的背上。
峡谷星期六——四月的第一或第三个周六
这一天Ayrshire（苏格兰西南部一州） Kilmarnock 的孩子们到Crawfurdland城摘水仙花。
圣灵降临节——复活节后的第七个周日
这是苏格兰的另一个季结账日期，这一天，租金到期了。
五朔节——5月1日
这是一个起源于基督教时代以前由腓尼基的太阳神巴力发起的异教徒火节，目的是为了促进庄稼生长。几世纪以来在苏格兰的大部分地区五月初会有一个假期。年轻的姑娘们会早早的起床用五月的露水清洗她们的脸颊。在这时点火的传统形成了地域性的名称，比如在 Ayrshire 叫Tarbolton (“tor”意思是山，而“Bolton”来源于五朔节)。古代的督伊德教火节已经被“新世纪”的追随者复苏 ，这些人曾在爱丁堡历史上的奥尔顿山聚集在了一块。
帝国日/维多利亚日——5月24日
这一天大英帝国的旗帜在公共建筑物上飘扬，并且学校的教室都装饰上了大英帝国的国旗。这一天的名字被改成了共和国日。为了庆祝女王维多利亚的诞辰日，在苏格兰的许多地方离5月24日最近的周一是当地的商业假期，这个传统自维多利亚开始统治英国时就一直持续着。
Guid Nychburris – 六月中旬
这是一个Dumfries节，它起源于一个法庭上，这个法庭解决了邻居之间的纠纷而使他们”成为了好邻居。南方的女王的加冕仪式就在这个长达一周的节日里举行。
Lanimer – 6月17日
在Lanark举行， Lanimer 日（地标或边界的消失）这一天房子装饰满了草木，并且会有Lanimer 的展览会。
Selkirk's共享的骑马运动——6月18日
骑马队典礼在苏格兰周围的许多地方是一种传统，而且这个传统一直在苏格兰周边地区存在着。Selkirk的典礼尤其著名，记得在1488年6月它参加了Flodden战役，但在Langholm, Lauder, Peebles, Annan, Linlithgow 和Sanquhar这些地方也有相同的节日（但在不同的日期）。
格拉斯哥集市 ——7月最后2周
起初，一个真正的集市起源于1190年William the Lion 的一个特许令，但是后来，7月的最后两周，在这时工厂和办公室都关闭休暑假了，Maw, Paw,孩子们就到“ Doon the Watter”（克莱德河）那儿的度假胜地去了。
收获节——8月1日
有凯尔特人的“Lugnasaid”宴会，这大约是这个节日的起源吧。其他人认为它是当用源自丰收的第一批谷子烤面包时“Loafmas”的腐败物，现在这一天变成了苏格兰法定的租金和合同到期的“四季结算日”。
玛利亚节——8月15日
这一天人们会在火炉上烤一种薄饼（或蛋糕）来纪念圣母玛利亚。
Braemar 聚集——9月的第一个周六
这个苏格兰主要的节日的起源据说要回溯到11世纪，那时马尔科姆三世“Canmore “嘉奖了一个向Craig Choinnich进发比赛的优胜者，1848年维多利亚女王通过参与这些比赛确保了这个活动保持到现在，王室家族从那时起就一直和这些运动相连了。
米迦乐节——9月29日
圣迈克尔是海的守护神，水手和它的圣徒纪念日会专门在苏格兰西部庆祝。在小岛上抑或是小船上，一个新谷子烤成的薄饼将在圣迈克尔节上食用，而且每个人都可以分到一块吃。
圣路加日——10月18日
以“酸味蛋糕日”闻名，王室特区Rutherglen有一种特殊的节日，在这一天，人们吃烤蛋糕时连同酸奶一块吃。
万圣节前夕——10月30日
万圣节的晚上，在古凯特尔日历中一年的的最后一天。德鲁伊教团员庆祝这个节日作为夏天和结束，“Sain”意味着夏天，“ fuin”意味着结束。其中伴随着巫术，大篝火和乔装打扮，孩子们乔装打扮好带着麻布妖怪和萝卜灯笼（蜡烛在芜箐甘蓝中）拜访附近的人家。在美国南瓜起到与之相同的作用。有一首罗伯特•彭斯写的关于万圣节的长诗，这首诗很好的描述了他那个时代的这个习俗的情况。
灵魂日- 11月2日
在这一天将为死去的灵魂祈祷，将会向穷人施舍。
盖伊•福克斯日——11月5日
为了不忘记1605年盖伊•福克斯试图用20桶火药炸掉国会大厦的意图，这一天有篝火、爆竹，还有给孩子们的硬币（关于盖伊•福克斯的坏印象，给孩子们向路人乞钱提供了一个借口）。这不是独属于苏格兰的而是遍布英国的节日。但这个节日开始于英国的统一之后不久，那时苏格兰的詹姆士六世也成为了英格兰和威尔士的国王。
圣马丁节——11月11日
这是苏格兰最后一个法定的结算日。这一天租金和契约都将到期。在一年的这个时候，从草料变得稀缺时起，家养的牲畜就常常被屠宰。作为屠宰的副产品，牲畜的下水和着麦片煮食物，牲畜的血被用来做黑布丁。
圣安德鲁日——11月31日
虽然从公元747年皮克特族在一次战役中胜利开始，圣安德鲁一直是苏格兰的守护神，11月30日在苏格兰却不是公共的假日。事实上，圣安德鲁之夜更多被移居海外的居住于世界各地的苏格兰人庆祝。
Sowan Nicht——圣诞节前夜
在苏格兰的一些地区，圣诞前夜被叫做“Sowans Nicht” ，来源于”sowans”——一种由浸泡在水中的燕麦苎麻壳和精良的粗谷粉制成的餐盘。在圣诞前夜欧洲花椒的枝干被焚烧为了表示任何与朋友和亲戚之间的怀心情都因为圣诞节被撇开了。
圣诞节——12月25日
像许多古老的民族一样，尤其是那些处于北纬的民族，冬天天短夜长。凯尔特族的异教徒们在冬至日左右几天庆祝他们的节日。部分是为了是最黑暗的日子变得明亮起来，还有一部分是为了劝上帝同意太阳回到人间,。在挪威人的神话里，欧丁神，礼物携带者，乘着马拉的战车划过夜晚的天际。过去基督教的教堂掌管了这个庆典，但一些传统又回到了异教徒那里。圣诞园木在壁炉中烧毁了，在槲寄生下有密切关系（与督伊德教的丰产仪式相联），并且房子被冬青树装饰好了（常青树常常引起崇敬的心情）。
但在16世纪教会改革期间，这些传统不被苏格兰教会认同，他们认为圣诞是天主教的节日。但他们在心里牢记圣诞节是救世主的弥撒，在当时弥撒在苏格兰被禁止了并存有关于反对人们保持在苏格兰叫做耶稣圣诞节的责令纪录。而令人惊讶的是，这样顽强的、乐观的态度保持了400年，直到19世纪60年代，教会圣诞节对大多数人来说还是一个正常的工作日。因此如果有一个特定的苏格兰的意义上的圣诞，教会的圣诞就不被庆祝。
传统的（而不是宗教的节日）圣诞庆祝在19世纪产生（艾伯特国王，维多利亚的丈夫，与之有很大关系！），大约在那时起英格兰和苏格兰发展了相同的传统——圣诞树，装饰品，圣诞老人或圣人尼古拉，礼物，在床尾的长统袜，圣诞颂歌，圣诞卡片等等。圣诞卡据说从19世纪中叶在爱丁堡就发明了。
节礼日——12月26日
这一天是另外一个交换礼物（装在盒子里的）的日子。
除夕夜新年前夕——12月31日
“除夕”这个词在过去曾丢失了。一些人说它起源于挪威语的“Hoggunott”或屠宰之夜，这一夜，人们屠宰动物作冬至宴会之用。并且它来源于”Huh-me-naay”或当陌生人都互相拥抱时现在亲吻我。另外一种理论说法是它来自法国的 “Hoguinane” ，孩子们在蛋糕节上吟唱它。
到现在为止，除夕仍是一个苏格兰的比圣诞节要重要的节日。历史学家们相信我们从海盗——来自比我们更北方更远方的人那里继承来的节日，在过去的短时期内被给予了更多的关注。然而很显然的这个节日被世界各地庆祝，与这个事件相关，苏格兰对之有更长时间的更丰富的继承。当整个国家在午夜的铜铃声中庆祝圣诞时，彭斯的歌曲“美好的昔日”正在逝去。
在12月31日这一天有像清扫屋子这样的传统（以清洁闻名），也包括在白天当煤火不旺时把灰烬从火里掏出。苏格兰是大不列颠联合王国中唯一在1月1号和2号拥有法定假日的地区——所以我们可以恢复额外的12月31日了作法定假日了！
Traditional Scottish Festivals
Hogmanay, the celebration of bringing in the New Year, is not the only traditional festival in Scotland. Many national and local celebrations took place in the past and some survive to this day. Here is a selection which starts on 1 January and finishes on the major celebration on the Scottish calendar - Hogmanay on 31 December.
First footing - 1st January
Visiting friends and relatives immediately after New Year's Eve, in the early hours of the morning of January 1st. First footing after the bells have rung in the New Year is still common - the "first foot" in the house after midnight should be male, dark, and handsome and should carry symbolic coal, shortbread, salt, black bun ( a spiced cake) and, of course, whisky.
In Kirkwall, Orkney, there is a New Year Ba' Game held in the streets of the town which can last most of January 1st, between the Uppies and the Doonies, or more correctly, "Up-the-Gates" and "Doon-the-Gates" from Old Norse "gata" (path or road).
Handsel Monday - first Monday of the New Year
Traditionally this was the day on which handsel (presents) were given by employers to their staff, rather than on Christmas Day. Alternatively, in some areas, this was done on January 12th.
Burning of the Clavie - 11th January
In Burghead, Morayshire, a tar barrel filled with tar-soaked wood shavings is carried around the harbour and then to the Doorie Hill where the Celtic Druids used to light their fires.
Up-Helly-aa - Last Tuesday of January
Held in Lerwick, Shetland Islands, a full sized Viking Galley, complete with shields and oars is pulled by a torch-bearing procession dressed as Viking warriors to the beach. Guizer Jarl calls for three cheers for the builders of the longship and after a bugle call, the galley is set alight by 800 blazing torches.
Burns Night - 25 January
The anniversary of the birth of the poet Robert Burns, in 1759 at which many a "Burns Supper" is consumed and the "Immortal Memory", a speech in praise of the Bard, will be given.
Candlemas Day - 2 February
Candlemas began as a Roman festival to celebrate the return of spring. It is now a Scottish legal "quarter day" when rents and other payments fall due. There is an old traditional poem which said that
"If Candlemas Day be bright and fair
Half the winter is to come and mair (more)
If Candlemas Day be dark and foul
Half the winter was over at Yowl (Christmas)
St Valentine's Day - 14th February
This used to be an excuse for youngsters to go round begging for sweets, money or fruit, while older brothers and sisters tried to find a sweetheart. "Name-papers" were sometimes used where names were written and placed in a bonnet and and each person drew out a paper. If the same name was drawn three times, it meant a marriage would take place!
Whuppity Scoorie - 1st March
A rumbustious celebration by the young lads of Lanark. It is a relic of the days when making a lot of noise was believed to frighten away the evil spirits. Pennies supplied by money from the Common Good Fund was thrown and the children scrambled to pick it up. Balls of paper (or bonnets - a lot softer!) tied with string were used by the participants to strike one another.
Original New Year - 25th March
The Celtic New Year was celebrated on Samhain (November 1st). Then, until 1600, the Gregorian Calendar which was used in Scotland, placed New Year on 25th March.
Fastern's E'en - Last Tuesday Before Lent
This was a carnival and feast held on the last Tuesday before the sacrifices of Lent, during which meat, butter and fat were used up. Around Scotland the day had different names such as Bannock Night, Beef Brose and Shriften E'en. In some places there was a rowdy game of football or handball, for example in Jedburgh, a rowdy game of handball called the Callant's Ba' was held between the "uppies" and the "downies".
Easter - Variable Dates
There was a festival for "Eastre", a Saxon goddess of fertility, in pre-Christian times which was integrated into the Christian calendar. The date is moveable, because the calculation is based on phases of the moon. In Scotland, to this day, "hot cross buns" are baked, containing spices and fruit and with a white pastry cross. On Good Friday, no ploughing was done and no seed was sown. The custom of rolling painted, hard-boiled eggs down a hill took place on Easter Monday.
Hunt the Gowk - 1st April
On this day people would play tricks and tell lies to catch each other out. But the jokes had to stop at mid-day. Now called April Fool's Day, hunting the gowk was originally sending someone on a foolish errand.
"Dinna laugh, an' dinna smile
But hunt the gowk another mile"
Preen-tail Day or Tailie Day - 2nd April
The day following All Fool's Day when paper tails were attached to the backs of unsuspecting people as a joke.
Glen Saturday - the first or third Saturday in April
The day when the children of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire went to Crawfurdland Castle to pick daffodils.
Whitsunday - the seventh Sunday after Easter
Another Scottish legal quarter day when rents fell due.
Beltane's Day - 1st May
A pagan fire festival which goes back to pre-Christian times - originating with Baal in Phoenicia. It was supposed to encourage the crops to grow. There has been a holiday at the start of May in many parts of Scotland for centuries. Young girls would also rise early to wash their faces in the May dew. The custom of lighting fires at this time has come through in place names such as Tarbolton in Ayrshire ("tor" meaning hill and "bolton" from "Beltane"). The ancient Druidic Fire Festival has been revived by "New Age" followers who gather on the historic Calton Hill in Edinburgh.
Empire Day/Victoria Day - 24th May
Flags were flown from public buildings and schools decorated classrooms with flags of the British Empire. The name was changed to Commonwealth Day. The nearest Monday to 24th May was a local trades holiday in many parts of Scotland to celebrate Queen Victoria's birthday and the tradition has continued long after Queen Victoria's reign.
Guid Nychburris - mid June
This is a Dumfries festival which has its origins in a court which resolved disputes between neighbours to make them "Guid Nychburris" or good neighbours. The Queen of the South is crowned during the week-long festivities.
Lanimer Day - 17th June
Held in Lanark, Lanimer Day (a corruption of "landemark" or boundary) is when the houses are decorated with greenery and there is a Lanimer Fair.
Selkirk Common Riding - 18th June
A ceremony of Riding the Marches or boundaries is traditional in a number of locations around Scotland, and the tradition has still survived particularly in the Scottish Borders. Selkirk's is particularly well known, remembering as it does the Battle of Flodden in June 1488, but there are similar festivities (on differing dates) in Langholm, Lauder, Peebles, Annan, Linlithgow and Sanquhar.
Glasgow Fair - last two weeks in July
Originally a real fair established by a charter from William the Lion in 1190, but latterly the last two weeks in July when factories and offices closed for summer holidays and Maw, Paw and the Weans went "Doon the Watter" (River Clyde) to the holiday resorts there.
Lammas - 1st August
There was a Celtic feast of "Lugnasaid" and this may have been the origins of this festival. Others believe it was a corruption of "Loafmas" when a loaf was baked with the first grain frm the harvest. It is now a Scottish legal "Quarter Day" when rents and contracts fall due.
Marymas - 15th August
A bannock (cake) was toasted on a fire in honour of the Virgin Mary.
Braemar Gathering - First Saturday in September
The origin of this major Highland Games is 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. Queen Victoria ensured the success of the games into modern times by attending them in 1848 and the Royal family has been associated with them ever since.
Michaelmas Day - 29th September
St Michael was the patron saint of the sea and sailors and his saint's day was celebrated in the West of Scotland in particular. In the island if Barra, a bannock was baked from the first grain of the year and eaten on St Michael's day. Everyone was given a piece to eat.
St Luke's Day, 18th October
Known also as "Sour Cakes Day", there were particular celebrations in the Royal Burgh of Rutherglen, with the baking of cakes eaten with sour cream.
Halloween - 31 October
The evening of All Hallows (Saints) Day and 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 neighbouring houses with "tattie bogles" or "neep lanterns" (candles inside turnips). The pumpkin serves the same purpose in the USA. There is a (long) poem by Robert Burns on Hallowe'en which gives a good description of the traditions which were followed in his day.
All Souls Day - 2nd November
Prayers were said for the souls of the dead and alms given to the poor.
Guy Fawkes - 5 November
Recalling 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, providing an excuse for children to plead for money from passers-by). This is not a specifically Scottish festivity - it is UK wide but it took place shortly after the Union of the Crowns when King James VI of Scotland became king of England and Wales also.
Martinmas - 11 November
The last Scottish legal "Quarter Day" when rents and contracts fell due. Since fodder was becoming scarce by this time of the tear, cattle were often killed at this time. As a by-product of this the offal was mixed with oatmeal to make haggis and the blood used to make black puddings.
St Andrew's Day - 30 November
Although St Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland since a Pictish victory in a battle in 747AD, 30 November is not a public holiday in Scotland. Indeed, St Andrew's night is celebrated more by expatriate Scots around the world.
Sowans Nicht - Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve in some parts of Scotland is called "Sowans Nicht" from "sowans" - a dish made from oat husks and fine meal steeped in water. And branches of a rowan tree were burnt on Christmas Eve to signify that any bad feeling between friends or relatives had been put aside for Yuletide.
Christmas - 25th December
Like many ancient races, particularly those located in the northern latitudes, where winter days were short and the nights long, the pagan Celts had celebrations around the time of the winter solstice, in part to brighten the darkest days, 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 traditions harked back to the pagan roots. The Yule log was burned in the fireplace, there was kissing under the mistletoe (related to a Druidic fertility rite) and the house was decorated with holly (evergreen trees were regarded with reverence).
But during the Church Reformation in the 16th century these traditions were frowned on by the Kirk which regarded Christmas as a popish festival. Bear in mind that "Christmas" is "Christ's Mass" and mass was banned in Scotland at that time. There are records of charges being brought against people for keeping "Yule" as it was called in Scotland. Amazingly, this dour, joy-crushing attitude lasted for 400 years. Until the 1960s, Christmas Day was a normal working day for most people in Scotland. So if there is a specifically "Scottish" aspect to Christmas it is that it was not celebrated!
The "traditional" Christmas celebrations (other than the religious festival) originated in the 19th century (Prince Albert, Queen Victoria's husband, had a lot to do with it!) and England and Scotland developed the same traditions from around that time - Christmas trees, decorations, Santa Claus or Saint Nicholas, presents, stockings at the end of the bed, Christmas carols Christmas cards etc. Christmas cards are said to have been invented in Edinburgh in the mid-nineteenth century.
Boxing Day - 26th December
Yet another day on which gifts (in boxes) were exchanged.
Hogmanay - New Year's Eve, 31 December
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 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" sung by children on "Cake Day".
To this day, Hogmanay is still a more important festival in Scotland than Christmas. Historians believe that we inherited the celebration from the Vikings who, coming from even further north than ourselves, paid even more attention to the passing of the shortest day. While clearly celebrated around the world, the Scots have a long rich heritage associated with this event, when the whole country celebrates in the build up to "the bells" chiming midnight - and Burns' song "Auld Lang Syne" is murdered once again!
There are traditions such as cleaning the house (known as "redding") on 31st December (including taking out the ashes from the fire in the days when coal fires were common). And Scotland is the only part of the UK that has a statutory holiday on 2nd January as well as 1st January - so we can recover from the excesses of 31 December!
