Scotland's colourful and rich history has long had its very own set of Christmas traditions - even if it was banned circa 400 years ago!
Around the 1600s, the UK was ruled by Oliver Cromwell who banned Christmas (or “Christ’s Mass” as it was then). However, when he fell from power the ban lifted everywhere but in Scotland which was, in short, due to Presbyterianism.
Scots celebrating Christmas did so discreetly as the event, which was known as Yule in those days. It was stripped from the Calendar and harsh punishments awaited anyone taking part in the celebrations. For Scots, this time was reduced to little more than another work day until 1958 when Christmas Day was finally recognised as a public holiday once again.
Despite this gap in Scottish festivity the country still boasts a myriad of traditions as even prior to the Reformation, the Winter Solstice (i.e., Yule or “Yogh” in Older Scots) was celebrated by druids, pagans and vikings - ancestors who roamed Scotland long before us.
From why we hang mistletoe to the origins of Yule Bread, here are 12 old Christmas traditions and customs of Scotland.
Scots celebrating Christmas did so discreetly as the event, which was known as Yule in those days. It was stripped from the Calendar and harsh punishments awaited anyone taking part in the celebrations. For Scots, this time was reduced to little more than another work day until 1958 when Christmas Day was finally recognised as a public holiday once again.