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Posts in cathegory: Customs

Scotland and Its Awful Food?!

5.04.2011, Author: highlander
The classic Scottish dishes: Haggis, neeps & t...

Image via Wikipedia

Of course, the title is provocative…because….

Some people tend to think about Scottish cuisine as inedible. Why? Is it really that bad? Are Scots truly so odd when it comes to food matters? Well, iconic dish of Scotland is haggis. It brings out disgusted “yuck!” from almost everyone, especially people who… had never tried it! But it’s not all about haggis. What are others mysteries of Scottish dishes, not disgusting at all? Let’s find out.

Scotch Broth

This traditional Scottish soup is made from mutton. If possible, it should be cooked very long, until it becomes really tender, then left overnight. Scotch Broth is very thick, filled with chunks of meat and vegetables. Should be served piping hot. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: Customs, Scottish Cuisine, Scottish goods | Comment »

How Wearing A Kilt Can Improve Your Social Life

19.02.2011, Author: highlander

The knee-length kilt is usually worn during important social events. Even though the kilt is considered more of a special occasion garment, there are some men who wear them almost everyday. These men have probably had to deal with extra attention which isn’t a bad thing if you want to improve your social life.

Happy Men in Kilts

Kilts Attract Attention

If all men around you are wearing long pants, you and your kilt are going to attract plenty of attention. No bagpipe will be necessary. People will naturally check you out and probably ask you questions about your kilt. You can then tell them about the history of the kilt and the wonderful legacy of the Scottish people. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: Customs, Kilts Information, Scottish goods | Comment »

Christmas in Scotland: Gaelic Yuletide

11.12.2010, Author: highlander
Santa Claus with a little girl
Image via Wikipedia

Celtic Sun Worship

In ancient times the Celts of Scotland celebrated the great fire festival of the winter solstice. At the solstice, the sun was reborn, with light and warmth emanating once more from this golden sphere of life and eternal energy.

The tree worshipping Druids also revered the evergreen and the oak, with its magical mistletoe, during this two week festival of the return of the sun. The eighth century influence of the Scandinavian Vikings added Germanic elements to the celebration, such as the burning of great bon fires and the shamanic magic of Odin.

In the late middle ages, the Catholic church expropriated the winter solstice celebration, replacing sun worship with son worship. When the Protestant reformation came in the sixteenth century, the Protestants proclaimed that this winter Bacchanalia was pagan and Papist and that the Scots should not celebrate it.

Until the 1950s, Christmas was not celebrated in Scotland. Since that time, the winter holiday has grown in popularity until it now very much resembles Christmas in the United States, with its gift giving and Santa Claus and intemperate feasting, and decorated Christmas trees, with stockings hung by the fire. What is unique about the Scottish holiday celebration can be seen in the various and varied cities of Scotland. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: About Scotland, Customs | Comment »

Saint Andrew’s Day Customs

23.11.2010, Author: highlander
Flag of Scotland
Image via Wikipedia

St Andrew’s Day is one of the most meaningful days for Scots. Since 2007 it is a bank holiday and is widely celebrated, not only in Scotland but throughout the world, especially by Scottish emigrants.

St Andrew’s Day, November the 30th, is celebrating the patron of Scotland, who was one of the Twelve Apostoles. He was a Galilean fisherman, who had been crucified on a diagonally transversed cross, that is now the flag of Scotland, also known as Saltire. He was said to help Agnus II and his army to win against the Angles. Ever since his relics were brought to Scotland from Caledonia in the 10th century, St Andrew had become the patron of this beautiful country.

It used to be the tradition for Scottish farmers that their workers go out St Andra’ing where they would catch rabbits and hares and have a feast on a singed sheep’s head, though they would have called it a heid. There would have been much drinking to celebrate the day.  Now there are many concerts, festivals and dance shows called ceilidh. Since the 30th is the opening day of Christmas Markets, it is a joyful time full of bagpipe music, traditional cuisine and beverages. Scots, being very proud of their tradition, make it a point to show the best of it during this time. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: Culture in Scotland, Customs, General informations | Comment »

Famous Scottish Fashion Designers and Awards

17.03.2010, Author: highlander

Caledonistas rocked the world of fashion in 2009 at Sterling Castle, Scotland with the ‘Catwalk Caledonia’. The fourth annual Scottish Fashion Awards presented a cortege of designs from Louise Gray, Holly Fulton, Graeme Black, Pringle of Scotland, Jonathan Saunders, Henry Holland, Graeme Armour, Laura Lees, Pam Hogg and many others.

[photo by: EraPhernalia Vintage]

Scottish Fashion Awards Hall of Fame inductee was Pam Hogg, a young Scottish lass with a very unique flair for punk couture design. Pam Hogg attended Fine Art and Printed Textiles at Glasgow School of Art then the Royal College of Art in London where she obtained her MA. First shown as part of the Hyper Hyper collective from 1985-89, her collection is now the Hogg-Couture and consists of her trademark catsuits and colourful skintight dresses. Czytaj całość »

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Post published in: Culture in Scotland, Customs, People from Scotland, Scottish goods | Comment »
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