The History of Christmas in Scotland: Traditions, Customs and Festivities

Blogmas Day 9

Christmas in Scotland has evolved through centuries of rich history and culture, blending ancient traditions with more modern festivities. From the deep-rooted customs of the Scottish Highlands to the lively celebrations of the Lowlands, Scotland’s Christmas celebrations have a unique charm that reflects the country’s historical ties to both Christian and pagan traditions. Let's look back at how Christmas came to be celebrated in Scotland, and how those celebrations have changed over the years.

Keep reading to the end for an exclusive discount on all our history books, available until Christmas Eve!

The Early Years: Pagan Roots and Christian Influence

Before Christmas became a widespread celebration, ancient Scottish festivals like Yule marked the winter solstice. Yule was a pagan celebration, linked to the cycle of the seasons, symbolising the return of the sun. People would light fires to celebrate the rebirth of the sun and encourage the return of warmth and light during the darkest time of the year.

As Christianity began to spread across Scotland, these pagan practices were incorporated into Christian traditions. The feast of Christmas was officially celebrated by the early Christians in Scotland in the 6th Century when Saint Columba and other missionaries brought Christianity to the Pictish people. However, for centuries, Christmas wasn’t a widely observed holiday in Scotland. In fact, the Protestant Reformation of the 16th century, led by John Knox, saw Christmas banned in Scotland for a time. Christmas was viewed with suspicion, and celebrations were often seen as excessive and too closely tied to Catholic customs.

The 17th Century: Christmas Banned

From the 16th to the early 18th century, Christmas was largely overshadowed by political and religious changes. Following the Reformation, Puritan beliefs dominated much of Scottish life. In 1640, under the rule of the Scottish Parliament, Christmas was officially outlawed. The belief was that Christmas celebrations were too linked with Catholic traditions, and the extravagant feasts and festivities were considered sinful. For over a century, Christmas was virtually forgotten in Scotland, with only a few remaining elements of the old Yule celebrations, like the winter solstice, observed by rural communities.

The Revival of Christmas: 19th Century

It wasn’t until the early 19th century that Christmas began to re-enter Scottish homes, thanks in part to the influence of Victorian customs. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, with their German heritage, popularised many of the Christmas traditions we still recognise today, such as the Christmas tree and the tradition of giving presents. The Scottish middle and upper classes, eager to adopt the latest fashions, embraced these practices.

Charles Dickens’ famous story, A Christmas Carol, published in 1843, also had a lasting impact on Christmas celebrations in Scotland, encouraging people to embrace the spirit of generosity and good cheer during the festive season. In the Highlands, the observance of Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) remained far more significant than Christmas, but by the late 19th century, the holiday was increasingly celebrated across the country, with family gatherings, festive meals and church services becoming part of the Christmas tradition.

Christmas and Hogmanay: The Scottish New Year

While Christmas was gradually becoming a major festive event in Scotland, New Year’s Eve – known as Hogmanay – has always been the true highlight of the Scottish holiday season. The country’s ties to both Catholic and Protestant traditions meant that Christmas took on a more religious and reflective tone, with people attending church services and partaking in family-focused activities. However, Hogmanay was where the real revelry occurred, with street parties, fireworks and the famous tradition of first-footing, in which the first person to enter your home after midnight brings luck for the coming year.

It’s no surprise that the strong cultural significance of Hogmanay has persisted. Even today, Hogmanay is celebrated with great vigour in Scottish cities and towns, with Edinburgh hosting one of the largest and most renowned celebrations in the world. The balance between Christmas as a time for spiritual reflection and Hogmanay as a time for celebration gives the festive season in Scotland a unique character.

Modern Scottish Christmas Traditions

In contemporary Scotland, Christmas has become a vibrant mix of old traditions and newer influences. Many Scottish families celebrate with a traditional Christmas dinner that includes turkey, roast potatoes, brussel sprouts and cranachan for dessert – a creamy dessert made with whisky, raspberries and oats. Christmas Day often centres around family time, with the day beginning with a church service and followed by a festive meal.

Scottish Christmas markets are also an important feature of the modern holiday season, with cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow hosting grand festive fairs offering handcrafted gifts, traditional Scottish food and drink, and entertainment. The charm of these markets lies in the combination of ancient Scottish culture with the festive cheer of Christmas, creating a magical atmosphere for all.

In addition, Scotland has also embraced the tradition of “boxin' day” – a day after Christmas, where families get together to celebrate and, in some regions, give gifts to service workers and those in need. Many Scottish towns also continue the tradition of St Andrew's Day, the feast day of Scotland's patron saint, celebrated on November 30th, often blending into the seasonal festivities as part of the national pride that accompanies the season.

A Festive Time for All

The history of Christmas in Scotland reflects the complex layers of its cultural heritage, from ancient pagan traditions to the influence of Victorian customs and the blending of Protestant and Catholic customs over the centuries. The festive season, although initially sidelined for much of Scotland’s history, is now a cherished time for families to come together, honour the traditions of the past, and look forward to the new year.

To thank you for joining us on this journey, we’re delighted to offer a 10% discount on our history books when you shop with us before midnight on Christmas Eve. Use the code BLOGMAS10 at checkout to claim your discount.

Wishing you a literary Christmas filled with stories to cherish and share.