Huge open fires, a few ‘drams’ of whisky, great food and even better company are the basic ingredients of a traditional Scottish Christmas.

The festive season is associated with the exchanging of gifts among friends and family and that tradition is no different in Scotland. But it’s not just about getting presents and eating and drinking too much! We take a look at how the festival began in Scotland and which customs and traditions have endured through the ages.

The Early Beginnings of Christmas
The Vikings came to Scotland at the end of the 8th century and along with their well-documented penchant for conquest and plunder they left behind an early version of a festival which we still celebrate today. This mid-winter festival was given the name by which it is often known – Yule or Yuletide. The Norsemen had as hearty an appetite for revelry as for war and their Yule celebrations lasted for an epic 24 days! The overindulgence kicked off with a monumental feast on the eve of Yule.

The Vikings stuffed their faces with vast quantities of food and drink after which they stumbled off into the winter night to light a huge bonfire in the goddess’ honour. Today, fire and light plays a major part in Yule celebrations in many areas of Scotland from Biggar to Shetland.

When William of Normandy conquered England in 1066 the English Princess Margaret fled north and was shipwrecked on the Scottish coast. Her Christian influence helped turn the previously pagan Yuletide season into a celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Christmas Traditions
Christmas day remained the focus of Scotland’s Yule celebrations throughout the Middle Ages. Many ancient superstitions and rites still held significance for Scots during this period, like the decoration of houses with evergreen trees and mistletoe. Our modern-day Christmas trees are newer versions of this ancient pagan idea that the evergreen tree represented a celebration of the renewal of life, while Celtic peoples long considered mistletoe to have magic powers. It was said to have the ability to heal wounds and increase fertility.

In Scotland a sprig of mistletoe continues to be hung from ceilings and in doorways to bring luck and ward off evil spirits, not to mention stealing a kiss from an unsuspecting party guest! The growing influence of continental Europe in the Middle Ages saw Yuletide in Scotland develop into the Twelve Days of Christmas that is familiar to us today. This then became known as the Daft Days. By the time of the Reformation the Christmas celebrations came under threat from various bodies – the General Assembly tried to abolish it in 1638 and the Kirk got twitchy when the Restoration of the Monarchy arrived, and the festival was forced underground.

Jolly Ol' St Nick
It was left to the Victorians to re-establish Christmas – they gathered together the remnants of many of the traditions from the past, some of which we still recognise today. One such tradition that is still observed in Scotland is that of children hanging stockings on bedposts or near a fireplace on Christmas Eve in the hope that Santa Claus will fill them with treats such as fruit, nuts and coins while they sleep.

The tradition goes back to legends about Saint Nicholas. One story tells of three poor sisters who couldn’t afford to marry because they had no money for a dowry. To save them from being sold by their father, St Nick left each of the three sisters gifts of gold coins in the stockings they had left hanging out overnight. Saint Nicholas is the common name for Saint Nicholas of Myra, who had a reputation for secret gift-giving.

Click here for a complete history of Santa Claus

This historical character was the inspiration for a mythical figure known as Sankt Nikolaus in Germany and Sinterklaas in the Netherlands, which in turn was the inspiration for Santa Claus. Our modern image of Santa Claus as a jolly, portly figure stems from a Christmas poem written in 1822 by the American Episcopal minister Clement Clark Moore. The poem is called “A Visit from St Nicholas” and was written by Moore for his three young daughters. This poem is now better known as “The Night Before Christmas” and is read to millions of children, just before they put their excited heads down to sleep on Christmas Eve.

Click here for an image of the cover of an 1912 version of the poem.

This poem also helped popularise Christmas Eve with the now familiar images of Santa Claus flying from house to house in his sleigh led by eight flying reindeer, waiting for the children to go to sleep so he could deliver presents.

In 1881 another American, the political cartoonist Thomas Nast, drew on Moore’s poem to create the first likeness that matches our modern image of Santa Claus. Nast sketched Santa as a tubby, cheerful man with a big, white beard, holding a sack full of toys for children who had been good all year. Nast also gave Santa his red suit with white fur trim, his North Pole workshop, his team of worker elves and his wife, Mrs Claus.

Click here to see a photo of the original Santa Claus drawing by Nast

The singing of Carols is another popular Christmas tradition still alive in Scotland today. It began in England in medieval times when wandering musicians would travel from town to town performing outside the houses and castles of the rich. The musicians were literally singing for their supper – in return for the performance they hoped to get a hot meal or money. The word carol is thought to have been derived from the French word caroller, a circle dance accompanied by singers.

Christmas 2006 in Scotland's Six Cities
Scotland today has a host of enchanting events to entertain all ages at Christmas.

Glasgow
Princes Square, the upmarket shopping centre on Buchanan Street in Glasgow, provides a beautiful festive setting for an annual season of traditional carol performances for local charities. The famous lights at George Square illuminated the city centre on 19th November signalling the start of Glasgow’s Christmas party. Glasgow on Ice, the city’s popular winter festival, returns for the sixth year in a row to George Square, with thousands flocking to one of Europe’s largest outdoor ice rinks. Keep the kids quiet by taking them along to the award-winning Santa’s Grotto, also at George Square – Scotland has more Christmas grottoes per capita than anywhere else in the UK!
On the same theme of Christmas family fun, the Irn Bru carnival at the SECC is Europe’s biggest indoor funfair, with more than 50 thrilling rides. St Enoch’s Square plays host to the city’s German Christmas Market. Here you can wander through the decorated chalets and sample some of Germany’s finest produce such as gingerbread, sausages and a wide selection of beers and wines.

Click here to see Glasgow on web cam

Edinburgh
In the east, the Edinburgh Christmas Light Night on November 23rd launched the capital’s season of festivities with a beautiful firework display – the Christmas lights were turned on, the ice rink opened with a skating display and the famous Edinburgh Wheel started turning.
The eco-friendly Green Christmas at the Royal Botanic Garden offers an alternative and topical festive attraction while Christmas at the Castle is a fun afternoon of storytelling and comedy on the premises of the city’s most famous landmark. The traditions of Christmas through the ages will be recreated on a special ‘Christmas at the Closes’ walking tour of Mary King’s Close, the city’s famous underground street.
Over two dozen venues will stage Christmas shows and pantomimes and nine exhibitions will feature as the highlights of the cultural calendar.

Click here to see Edinburgh on web cam

Stirling
In Stirling the city’s Provost Colin O’Brien switched on the lights at the bottom of King Street which started the seasonal celebrations in sparkling style. A very special invitation is up for grabs at Stirling Castle this Christmas. For the first time, visitors will be able to book a table within the castle itself and have a dining experience fit for a king. This very exclusive invitation is available from 16th-22nd December.

Click here for photos of Stirling at Christmas

Dundee
Meanwhile, Dundee kicked off their festive season with the annual switching on of the Christmas lights on 20th November.
An 11-day continental Christmas market featuring food and fancy goods from all over Europe formed part of the city’s celebrations and a Craft and Produce market took place on 9th-11th December.

Click here for Christmas Events in Dundee

Aberdeen
A German Christmas Market ran until Sunday 17th December with more than thirty wooden chalets of gifts and delicacies. The backdrop is the huge tree in the Castlegate and the twinkling Union Terrace Gardens.
Click here to see Aberdeen on web cam
For some seasonal musical entertainment Aberdeen’s Carol Concert will be held on Saturday 23rd December at the Winter Gardens.

Download a copy of the full Festive Aberdeen 2006 programme.

Inverness
The city of Inverness sparked off the festive season with the Christmas Lights Switch On Ceremony on 23rd November.
An Arts and Crafts Festival was held on December 9th giving everyone the chance to pick up some quirky little last minute gifts.
The magical Inverness Christmas Parade took place on Saturday 9th December. The 7th Annual 5k Jingle Bell Run precedes the parade giving participants the chance to run off a couple of extra pounds before the Christmas over-indulgence begins!

Click here for details of the Christmas Parade in Inverness

Conclusion
We hope you enjoy the festive season and get an opportunity one day to visit each of our great cities at this magical time of the year.

Merry Christmas

Further Information:

Courtesy of Scotland.org .