6 Best Scottish Winter Traditions to Try
Winter is a strange time here in Scotland. It’s dark, it’s cold, and it’s rather spooky at times. But there are so many things about winter in Scotland that we love – including all the Scottish winter traditions. From Halloween to Hogmanay, we’re going to run you through 6 of our favourite Scottish winter traditions that are perfect ways for you to experience the uniqueness of Scotland in winter.
Coming up in this blog:
Christmas traditions
Hogmanay traditions
Burns Night traditions
All-Hallows’ Eve traditions
Guy Fawkes Night traditions
St Andrew’s Day traditions
Christmas Traditions
When: 25th December
It’s no surprise that we also participate in Christmas traditions here in Scotland, but did you know that it was banned here for almost four centuries? Once upon a time, Christmas in Scotland was a religious feasting day. But the Scottish Parliament passed a law in 1640 that made celebrating ‘Yule’ illegal. Even once Charles II was restored to the throne and Christmas was no longer illegal, the celebration was frowned upon for some time. It wasn’t until 1958 that 25th December became a public holiday in Scotland... can you believe it!
How to Celebrate Christmas in Scotland
Christmas is a day for family and friends to come together for a feast, to exchange gifts, and to celebrate their religion, if relevant. But in Scotland, there are a few other things you can do to make Christmas a wee bit Scottish, such as the baking of unleavened Yule bread. Each member of the family gets one and whoever finds a trinket in their loaf will be blessed with good luck for the rest of the year.
Note that caroling is actually called wassailing here, and that Scottish Santa’s drink of choice is whisky, not milk.
Where to Celebrate Christmas in Scotland
Christmas is often a more private event hosted in one’s home with family and friends. Many attend services at their local churches, too. However, there are no ‘rules’ for how one chooses to celebrate Christmas... except for the involvement of whisky. Santa wouldn’t have it any other way.
Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve) traditions
When: 31st December
You already know this one. Hogmanay. The Scottish word for New Year’s Eve. Over the centuries, it’s been recorded with various spellings and pronunciations, from Hoguemennay to Huggeranohi... so we’re grateful that today it’s slightly easier to pronounce.
And we have plenty of Hogmanay traditions here in Scotland.
As with most good history, Hogmanay’s origins are something to speculate over. But it’s believed that the tradition goes back to the celebration of the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) among the Norse, combined with the celebration of Samhain (an end to harvest season as the darkest part of the year is welcomed).
How to Celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland
There are several ways to celebrate Hogmanay if visiting Scotland for the New Year:
Auld Lang Syne
Like most countries that celebrate New Year’s Eve, parties that count down the clock are a great way of welcoming the new year.
Linking arms with friends and strangers alike, and singing the tune ‘Auld Lang Syne’ is a tradition practiced around the world, but did you know the song originated here in Scotland? The song’s text comes from a poem written by famous Scottish poet Robert Burns back in 1788, but Burn’s poem was based on an older Scottish folk song.
Feasting
Many Scots also celebrate New Year’s Day with a special dinner, usually steak pie. An older tradition that has sadly died out in recent years is called ‘Handsel Day’, which involved eating a roast dinner on the first Monday of the New Year. Let’s bring this tradition back!
First-Footing
The tradition of first-footing involves the first person (or persons) crossing the threshold of a friend or neighbour’s home after midnight being a bringer of good fortune for the coming year. Often gifts are given by the first-footer (whisky, shortbread, etc) and offerings (food, a dram or two) are then given to the guests.
Torchlight Procession
Edinburgh’s Torchlight Procession is one of the most famous celebrations. The procession usually runs on a night in the lead up to Hogmanay (often the 30th) and involves thousands of people marching through the streets of Edinburgh holding flaming torches. Traditionally, ancient Celts and Norse used fire to ward off darkness during the winter solstice, and today the event symbolises welcoming the New Year with light, warmth, and unity. The event concludes with a bonfire that would make the Vikings proud. Our tips? Wear comfortable shoes; warm, fire-resistant clothing, and tie your hair back. Just to be safe!
Loony Dook
Now, here’s a quirky tradition. One where folks take a plunge into ice waters to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.
It’s all in the name – because some believe that you've got to be a loon to participate! The term "Loony Dook" combines "Loony" (meaning crazy) and "Dook" (a Scots word for dip or plunge).
The origins of this tradition only go as far back at 1986, when three locals to the town of South Queensferry (just outside of Edinburgh) were incredibly hungover and thought jumping into the icy waters would be a great cure for their headaches.
The following year, they decided to make it an event to raise money for charity. What started small is now an enormous event, one that is practiced across the country by groups both large and intimate.
Where to Celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland
Hogmanay celebrations are available throughout the country, including:
Edinburgh
The capital of Scotland (and other major cities including Glasgow and Aberdeen) host enormous Hogmanay celebrations. In fact, they’re some of the largest in the world. Back in 1996/97, the celebrations in Edinburgh were recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as the world’s largest New Years party with around 400,000 people in attendance. Not to worry, they’re not that big these days! But the festivities and energy remain high with fireworks at Edinburgh Castle, street parties, and Christmas Markets.
Stonehaven
The wee seaside town of Stonehaven is a wonder to visit all year round, but during Hogmanay, many are drawn for their fireball tradition. Yes, you read that right. Fireballs. This unique tradition has roots in ancient fire rituals meant to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck for the coming year. At midnight, locals parade through the streets swinging fireballs on chains, culminating in a spectacular moment down by the harbour when the balls are cast into the water.
South Queensferry
The Loony Dook at South Queenferry is now an official part of the Edinburgh Hogmanay festival. You can register for the event and/or make donations to charity.
Other Loony Dooks of note are in Stonehaven, Broughty Ferry Beach in Dundee, North Berwick, and Aberdeen.
And why not participate in this most wholesome event? The festive spirit, the camaraderie, the dash of madness... it’s everything that makes Scotland great in one wild event!
Burns Night traditions
When: 25th January
It’s easy to talk about our love for Robert Burns here in Scotland, as many say he’s our nation’s greatest poet. He’s the reason we sing Auld Lang Syne at Hogmanay, after all. So, it’s no wonder we seek to celebrate this great man each year on Burns Night.
Burns Night is more than a way of showing our love for Robert Burns, it’s a night to pay tribute to Scottish culture and heritage, with a particular focus on poetry, music, and food.
Why January 25th? Because Robert Burns was born on this day back in 1759.
How to Celebrate Burns Night in Scotland
Traditionally, Scots celebrate Burns Night with a feast, but there’s plenty more to a proper Burns Night event. Depending on the size of your event, guests are welcomed by a bagpiper (or at the very least, traditional Scottish music is played). The host says a few words of welcome, a grace is said, perhaps a song is sung, and then the feasting begins!
The main course comes as no surprise, does it? Haggis. Or, more specifically, Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. Whisky is a necessary accompaniment, and a recitation of Burns’ poem “Address to a Haggis” is tradition.
You Pow'rs, that make mankind your care,
And dish them out their bill of fare,
Old Scotland wants no watery ware
That slops in bowls:
But, if You wish her grateful prayer,
Give her a Haggis!
Where to Celebrate Burns Night in Scotland
You can celebrate Burns Night almost anywhere! If you happen to find yourself in a Scottish pub on Burns Night, don’t be surprised to find some celebrations underway. It’s the perfect excuse to host your own Burns Night with friends and family, too. Alternatively, here are a few other options that may interest you.
The Scottish Storytelling Centre (Edinburgh)
The Scottish Storytelling Centre is the home for Scotland's stories. In the past, they’ve hosted their own special Burns Night celebrations known as ‘Supper with Burns’ which involves a traditional feast, Scottish music, combined with storytelling.
The Ghillie Dhu (Edinburgh)
This institute of Edinburgh nightlife is nestled in the West End of the city centre, a hub of traditional Scottish music, food, drink, and celebrations. They host their own https://ghillie-dhu.co.uk/event/burns-supper/Burns Supper event – but note it often sells out quickly!
The Robert Burns Birthplace Museum (Ayrshire)
Scotland’s National Bard was born in Alloway in Ayrshire, so it’s no surprise to find the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum residing there. This is the best place to get up close and personal with Rabbie Burns – to learn about his life and even visit some of the places he grew up in. We also visit the Museum on one of our tours.
And sometimes the Museum hosts their very own Burns Supper – it can’t get more authentic than that!
All-Hallows’ Eve (Halloween) traditions
When: 31st October
Perhaps, like us, you know it as All-Hallows’ Eve. Or maybe you call it Hallowe’en. More than likely, you know it as Halloween. The spookiest night of the year and the pinnacle of ‘spooky season’.
We adore Halloween here in Scotland. It has its roots in the Gaelic festival of Samhain, as far back as the 16th century, a festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
Even our beloved Robert Burns wrote a haunting poem about Halloween:
Among the brackens, on the brae,
Between her and the moon,
The deil, or else an outler quey,
Gat up and gae a croon:
Poor Leezie's heart maist lap the hool!
Near lav'rock-height she jumpit;
but mist a fit, and in the pool
Out-owre the lugs she plumpit,
Wi' a plunge that night.
How to Celebrate All-Hallows’ Eve in Scotland
Trick or treating, pumpkin carving, Halloween parties... there’s a reason people around the world love Halloween – it's so much fun! But if you’re in Scotland this All-Hallow’s Eve, you might want to partake in the Scottish traditions:
Neep lanterns
Forget pumpkins! In Scotland we carve our scary faces into neeps (turnips) to create spooky lanterns to keep the ghouls at bay. They’re far harder to carve than pumpkins, but why not give it a try?
Apple dookin’
This ancient Celtic tradition is a favourite at parties because, for some strange reason, people love having their hands tied behind their backs and dunking their faces in basins of water to grab apples in their mouths. To each their own!
Treacle scones
If you love apple dookin’, you’re going to love this one. Stricky, treacle-covered scones are dangled from the ceiling by string and participants are expected to take bites out of them as they sway and drip. Messy but fun!
Guising
It’s basically trick-or-treating but the act of ‘guising’ is an old Scottish tradition that typically saw children donning costumes and ‘guising’ around their local streets. This would involve performing tricks or songs in order to help keep evil spirits at bay, and in return, guisers were given gifts to help ward off said evil.
In Scotland, we make you work for your treats.
Nut burning
This one could really test your relationship, so it’s not for everyone! The tradition is usually for couples who are recently engaged and involves putting nuts in a fire. If the nuts burned quietly, their union would be a happy one. If the nuts hissed and cracked, well...
Where to Celebrate All-Hallows’ Eve in Scotland
As with many of Scotland’s winter traditions, you can celebrate Halloween wherever you’d like! There are many groups around the country that host events you could get involved in, such as Beltane’s Samhuinn groups.
Perhaps you’ll consider a ghost walk on (or under) the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, or even in Glasgow. Or a haunted history tour, say in Aberdeen’s Tolbooth Museum. Check out these haunted places in Scotland.
Guy Fawkes Night (Bonfire Night) traditions
When: 5th November
Remember, remember, the 5th of November,
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.
And forgot it was not. Guy Fawkes Night is remembered around the world as the annual commemoration of the failed Gunpowder Plot of 5th November 1605, a conspiracy to blow up the Houses of Parliament and assassinate King James I.
A famous and key member of the group was known as Guy Fawkes, who was arrested on the night in question. He’s become associated with the event primarily because he was caught red-handed with the explosives and his role as the ‘trigger man’ became a symbol of the plot.
A year after the plot, in 1606, the Parliament passed the Observance of 5th November Act, which called for annual public thanksgiving for the failure of the Gunpowder Plot.
Over time, the celebration has evolved into public festivals and displays of fireworks and bonfires.
How to Celebrate Bonfire Night in Scotland
Despite its origins, the event today is quite a fun, family-friendly one which usually involves large public bonfires, fireworks displays, and the burning of effigies of Guy Fawkes.
Where to Celebrate Bonfire Night in Scotland
Since fire and fireworks are involved in these events, we don’t recommend you hosting your own in your backyard. Instead, why not find a local event and join in the celebration? Glasgow hosts several events, and there’s often a fireworks display at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh or at the Fawkes Festival at the Royal Highland Centre.
St Andrew’s Day traditions
When: 30th November
Picture the Scottish flag. Blue, with a white diagonal cross. Have you ever wondered why our flag looks like this? Well, it all comes back to St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint.
St Andrew was both a fisherman and one of Jesus’ first Apostles. But, as most Scottish stories go, he didn’t have a pleasant end. St Andrew was sentenced to death by crucifixion by the Romans, but the man made an odd request for his end. He asked to be crucified on a diagonal cross, also known as a saltire, as he believed he wasn’t worthy of dying on the same shape of a cross as Jesus.
That diagonal cross is the same one you’ll see on the Scottish flag today, a proud symbol of what is means to be Scottish. The supposed anniversary of his death is 30th November, which is why we honour St Andrew with a feast each year.
How to Celebrate St Andrew’s Day in Scotland
St Andrew’s Day is celebrated with festivals, parades, traditional ceilidh dances, and public events across Scotland. It’s a time to promote Scottish pride, culture, food, and tourism.
You’ll see other forms of celebration here and there too – like Edinburgh Castle being bathed in a blue light on the 30th November. In 2006, the Scottish Parliament also declared St Andrew's Day a bank holiday – huzzah for that!
If you’re hosting your own celebration, some must-have songs on your playlist include Auld Lang Syne written by Robert Burns, Caledonia by Dougie Maclean, Loch Lomond by Runrig, Liberty by The Corries and Scots Wha Hae by Dick Gaughan.
Where to Celebrate St Andrew’s Day in Scotland
St Andrew’s Day can easily be celebrated in your own home with friends and family, but if you’re looking for something a bit larger...
Fair Saturday Scotland (Edinburgh)
Fair Saturday is a unique event hosted around the world, in which thousands of artists and cultural organisations get together to support social causes through their events. And on the 30th November, Scotland joins the celebration with Fair Saturday Scotland in conjunction with St Andrew’s Day.
It’s a celebration of cultural events, live music, and performances that often happen across the city.
Scottish International Storytelling Fesitval – The Big Scottish Story Ripple (Scotland)
As part of Scotland’s storytelling festival, the Big Scottish Story Ripple is all about storytelling and giving back to the community.
‘Schools and community groups can apply for funded storytelling sessions delivered by a Scottish Storytelling Forum professional storyteller, we cover the cost of the storyteller’s fee and in return, applicants offer a good deed back to their community on or before St Andrew’s Day (30th Nov) – continuing the ripple of kindness!’
Visit St Andrews
This is an easy one – why not visit the seaside town of St Andrews on St Andrew’s Day for your celebrations! Aside from any festivities taking place, there’s plenty of other activities to occupy you throughout the day including St Andrews Castle, Castle Sands, St Rule’s Tower (at the Cathedral), the pier wall and seafront, and an array of delicious eateries.
We run day tours there from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen – just saying.
As you can see, winter in Scotland is an opportunity - to commemorate and celebrate the things we love about our country. And we'd love if you could join us. Whether you're visiting for some solo travel, or would like to join us on tour, we're certain you'll understand why we think Scotland in winter is absolutely magical.
And while you’re embracing the festive spirit, why not embrace an adventure too by jumping on a Rabbie’s small-group tour, now a B Corp Certified Travel Company. Led by knowledgeable driver-guides in comfortable mini-coaches, see the Scottish landscapes in all their glory. Ensure you’re signed up to our newsletter and never miss out on updates about our new destinations, tour dates, or Black Friday travel deals.