Scottish Christmas Traditions

Fun fact: the observation of Christmas in Scotland was banned for nearly 400 years starting from the year of 1640, with an official act of Parliament. The act outlawed “Yule vacations” and many of the Scottish Christmas traditions and customs associated with the holiday.

It wasn’t until 1958, that Christmas became a public holiday once again. The ban is part of the reason that New Year’s (Hogmanay in Scotland) is much more of a prominent Scottish holiday.

All the same, these following Scottish Christmas traditions persist!

Making Mince Pies

Mince pies are commonly eaten as a Christmas treat where some families have their own traditions about what ingredients go into the mince pies and how to make them. For more information on the history of (and traditions surrounding) mince pies, please see our previous post!

First Footing

While the tradition of “first footing” is most commonly associated with Hogmanay, it is a Christmas tradition as well.

This Scottish Christmas tradition is observed in just the same manner as it is on Hogmanay - come Christmas, individuals would go out with gifts of peat, whisky, food, or money in a bid to bless their friends and family for the coming year. It’s common to bring gifts for the recipient’s household - traditional Scottish shortbread makes a lovely treat!

It is said that the best first footer is a tall individual with dark hair - those with red hair are said to bring misfortune!

Rowan Candles

Rowan twigs, also known as rowan candles, are prepared from dried bits of the rowan tree and are burned around Christmas time. This custom is said to dispel negative energy and bad luck.

It’s also said that burning rowan around this time of year is said to clear away bad blood, jealousy or feelings of misgivings between friends and family members.

Hanging Mistletoe

Not just a Scottish Christmas tradition, hanging mistletoe at Christmastime is believed to originate from the pagan emphasis on the plant as a harbinger of fertility and a symbol of life, particularly since the plant remains green in the winter and (since it is an epiphyte, or parasite) appears to grow out of nothing.

Yule Logs

Originally, yule logs were large oak logs that the pagans (in this case, the Celts) burned for several days (some sources indicate 12) to give the sun back its power through the long, dark winter. It is said that they saved the remains of the burned log to light the next year’s log.

The Celtic druids also had another Christmas tradition - the burning of a “cailleach” log, or “hag of winter” log (cailleach is Gaidhlig for “old woman” or “hag”).

This log was carved with the face of an old woman, said to symbolize the hag of winter, who was responsible for bringing the darkness and cold. By burning the log, it was said that the hag would be banished, and along with her, winter.

The Orkney Ba’ Game

That is, the Orkney “ball” game, or “ba’ match,” if you will, and it is one of the most curious (and aggressive) Scottish Christmas customs of them all.

On Christmas day, in Kirkwall, on Orkney, the locals engage in a ball game that’s a bit like rugby, but, as you will see, not entirely.

The ball itself is a leather ball filled with cork. It’s handmade each year. The “ba’” game is played by two teams - the uppies and doonies (traditionally, the teams were played by two factions, those who were from “up or down” from St. Magnus’ Cathedral) vie against each other to touch the ball against the wall at the south end of town (uppies) or into Kirkwall Bay (doonies).

Other than that, there are no formal rules. As you can imagine, Kirkwall is full of noise and motion on Christmas Day!

Lighting the Christmas Tree and Other Modern Scottish Christmas Traditions

The tradition of putting lights on a Christmas tree is said to originate from the ancient belief that the sun lost its power or stood still in the sky during the winter. Burning candles (or, as stated previously, the Yule Log) was believed to restore some of the sun’s power.

Before the modern era, candles, not electric lights, were used to decorate trees. That said, lighting the tree is a tradition that still stands today!

In addition to the traditions mentioned here, many modern Christmas traditions are the same as those we enjoy in America. For instance, nowadays, people in Scotland decorate with Christmas trees, lights and other decorations, children send letters to Santa, and people enjoy caroling and baking Christmas sweets.

Holiday Shortbread Cookies: The Perfect Christmas Treat

Here for a traditional Scottish Christmas gift? Holiday shortbread cookies are a great gift, and they make great stocking stuffers. Don’t miss our mince pies (another holiday treat in the UK) along with Christmas pudding, festive Holiday shortbread cookies, tins, and gift baskets, all of which make thoughtful gifts!