Christmas was forbidden for over 425 years
However, this was by no means always the case: Since 1583, Christmas in Scotland was considered apostate in the eye of the church and thus December 25 was a working day throughout. The mass was only allowed to be visited after work and anyone who dared to hang up colorful garlands or cheer up the day with whiskey, the Scottish "water of life", risked a three-week sentence in the penitential chair.
In fact, December 25 has only been an official holiday in Scotland since 1958, and December 26 has been a public holiday since just 1974. Since Christmas was not celebrated "officially" for many, many years, the Scots adopted numerous customs from other countries.
"Nollaig Chridheil!" or "Merry Christmas!" – this is the translation from Scottish Gaelic. What does a Scotland fan need to be able to celebrate a real Scottish Christmas in front of the fireplace at home? Decorations, Christmas dinner and gift ideas – we've put together some tips for you to add the magic of the land of kilts and bagpipes to the "Yule Tide" (Gaelic: Christmas).
Traditional dishes at Christmas
On the Scottish table on Christmas Eve, the main course is turkey with potatoes and vegetables. Typical desserts are Christmas pudding or mince pie (a traditional English Christmas pastry). The shortbread, which is so typical of Scotland, should not be missing as a dessert at Christmas dinner. Tip: You can find a traditional recipe for shortbread in our picture gallery! The typical small Christmas cakes (Dundee Cake) with fruit and marzipan are also very popular.
Scottish Customs & Traditions at Christmas
Decoration is especially important for a Scottish Christmas. Colorful paper garlands and arrangements of holly and periwinkle decorate the rooms. Windows and doors are lit up with colorful lights. The Christmas tree is pompously hung with bright colors or with many straw and paper stars. Long, decorated stockings are not to be missed. These are then filled with treats and small gifts to give presents.
Another tradition is not to let the fireplace go out on Christmas Day. According to the myth, evil elves could otherwise make their way through the chimney. In some places, there are even large campfires. By the way, the Scottish gift giving takes place on the morning of December 25.
Gift ideas for Scotland fans
A nice custom for Christmas in Scotland are so-called Christmas crackers. These are crackers from which colorful paper hats fall. You put them on your head and keep them for the rest of the feast. A board game from Scotland that is popular in the cold season is called Starmash. For foodies, real Scotch whisky, Scottish smoked salmon and shortbread in a beautiful gift box are a must. The classics Highlander and Braveheart as well as the current hits Outlander and Rob Roy are THE film tips par excellence for real Scotland fans. Also on our list: a cute Nessie tea infuser, wall calendars with breathtaking Scottish landscape motifs or Scotland crime novels for bookworms.
Top Christmas Destinations in Scotland
If you want to get an impression of the magic of the Scottish Christmas season on site, you can experience the exciting Christmas atmosphere on DFDS short trips to Scotland, e.g. the Edinburgh city trip.
Edinburgh Christmas Market, 16 November 2019 – 4 January 2020
Glasgow Christmas Market, 9 November 2019 – 29 December 2019
Christmas at Stirling Castle, 13 December 2019 – 23 December 2019
Hogmanay – Scottish New Year's Eve
A festival that until recently was much more important to the Scots than Christmas is the so-called Hogmanay, Scotland's world-famous New Year's Eve festival. The celebrations are cheerful with the beginning of a torchlight procession on 30 December and the crazy ice bathing "Loony Dook" with unusual costumes on 1 January. New Year's customs also include "First Footing" – where you cross the threshold of friends and neighbours with a glass of whisky, a piece of coal, a black bun, shortbread and salt to welcome the New Year – we think it's a very nice tradition!
Spend the Christmas season in Scotland with DFDS now!
