The customs and traditions of Scotland are among the most striking and revealing phenomena in the world. The population of this country sacredly honors its history and culture, ancient rituals and holidays. In order to understand the superstitions and customs of the Scots, one should turn to their history.
Country and population
Scotland is located in the northern part of the island of Great Britain and is part of the United Kingdom. More than half of the territory is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, in the east it is washed by the North Sea, in the south is England and the Irish Sea.
In the direction from north to south, the Grampian Mountains pass along the entire length of Scotland, there are many rivers and lakes in the country, including the famous Loch Ness and Loch Lomond. The rich nature of the country is considered one of the most beautiful in the world, and the number of tourists arriving here is steadily growing every year.
A population of 5 million people has been sacredly honoring the ancient traditions and customs of Scotland for many centuries, unlike many other nations that are gradually losing their identity.
Legends andsymbols
The symbol of the country is the thistle flower and the motto "No one can harm me with impunity" (Nemo me impune lacessit), which preaches some resentment towards everyone and a wary attitude. An ancient legend tells that during the defense of the kingdom from the invasion of the Danish army, thickets of burning thistles helped to avoid the night attack of the enemy. Stepping on the thorns, the warriors let out a cry, which revealed themselves. The outcome of the battle was in favor of the Scots.
This emblem is also present on the national flag, demonstrating to everyone the severity and stubbornness of the Scottish character. This people is characterized by the desire to defend their identity, culture and traditions in any situation.
In Scotland, the entire population has long been divided into clans - groups of families that have a common ancestor and bear the same surname. For example, MacDonald means "son of Donald", etc. The clan system has existed for several centuries and is preserved today as a tribute to history.
Any Scotsman living in another country remembers the moorlands of his homeland, the ruins of ancient castles, a worn-out great-grandfather's kilt and the mournful melody of the pibroch bagpipes.
Kilt and tartan
Scotland's most famous clothing tradition in the world, strongly associated with historical events, is the wearing of a woolen plaid skirt by the male half of the population. A kilt is not just a cut of matter with a certain pattern of colored stripes intersecting at different angles, but indicates a person's belonging tocertain clan. Its coloring should match the tartan.
The most famous for its history is the upper highlands of Scotland - the Highlands, where each clan had a set color of the kilt, which consisted of tartan - a long cut (13 m) of woolen matter. The first mention of such clothes was recorded only in 1471, it is also noted there that only highlanders (highlanders) wore it. A large, warm, homespun blanket was convenient for protection from cold and wind: during the day, a man wrapped it around his body, and at night he used it as a bed.
The small kilt was introduced as clothing in the early 18th century. and gained popularity during the Jacobite Rebellion, which was crushed in 1746 at the Battle of Culloden. After the bloody events, the English king forbade the Scots to wear tartan fabrics for 36 years, during which the Scots themselves even forgot their drawings. And only in 1782, George IV restored the permission to wear a kilt, since then it has been not only clothing, but also the pride of every man who honors the history and traditions of Scotland.
National clothes
Until now, for any holiday, not only the inhabitants of the country, but also those who live in any country in the world and consider themselves a true Scot, always wear their national clothes. The complete costume is a strong and centuries old Scottish tradition.
In addition to the tartan, the costume also includes other national items of clothing:
- tweed jacket,
- long stockings,
- leather sporran - round pouch hanging from the fronton a narrow strap that wraps around the hips;
- Scottish beret - a hat made of woolen fabric, decorated with a pompom and feather on top;
- an important male detail of the costume is a thistle-engraved knife that true highlanders wear in their right stocking.
Scottish music
The famous instrument, which was banned by the English king after the Jacobite uprising, is the bagpipe. His music always delights the ears of the Scots on national holidays and clan gatherings. Bagpipes have always taken part in military campaigns and companies of the Scots, and then the British army.
This is the main traditional wind instrument, made in the form of a bag of animal skin (sheep, goat, etc.), on which a tube for filling with air is sewn on top. From below, 1-3 bourdon tubes are sewn to the leather skinskin, with the help of which the sound is polyphonic.
The Scottish bagpipe is one of the most popular and recognizable in the world. It is a cultural accessory of the country and a national symbol, without which no holiday in the country takes place.
The unofficial anthem "Scotland the Brave", performed on bagpipes, was first played in 1815 to raise patriotism and the spirit of the soldiers at the Battle of Waterloo (Belgium).
Food and drinks
The most famous national dish of the Scots is haggis (Haggis), made from chopped lamb offal, onion, oatmeal, lard and spices, which are pre-boiled or smoked in the stomach of a sheep. The food is very satisfying, but unusual forordinary people. Haggis is usually eaten with mashed potatoes or turnips.
Telling about the culinary traditions of Scotland is unlikely to be brief, so let's just list the most popular dishes:
- Cock-a-leekie thick soup - made from vegetables and herbs (everything that grows in the garden) and prunes;
- Cullen skink soup - raw or smoked haddock fish;
- nips and tattis - baked potatoes and rutabagas, served as a vegetable stew or puree;
- round Scotch pie (diameter 10-15 cm) - prepared with a meat filling (in the form of minced meat or goulash) and sauce with ale;
- Black pudding is a traditional breakfast made from bacon, cereals, spices and blood baked in a natural casing;
- Irn Bru orange soda, which is much more popular in Scotland than Coke or Pepsi.
Scotch Whiskey, a symbol of Scotland that has been popular for several centuries, is first mentioned in the annals of the early 17th century. Its name comes from the Gaelic word usquebaugh, which means "water of life". It was taxed more than once, banned, but still produced. Now it is recognized as the official drink, and 5 recipes for the manufacture of Scotch whiskey are established by law: Single M alt (Single M alt); grain (Single Grain); blended or mixed (Blended), etc.
Fire and lighting fires
The rite of lighting a fire was preserved in Scotland from the ancient Celts, who were firmly convinced that June 24all fairies, forest spirits and witches arrange their gatherings on earth.
The most important holiday, during which bonfires have long been lit - the day of the summer solstice or St. John, is celebrated on June 24th. According to the Celts, fire was a force that could destroy all evil, had the properties of purification and disinfection. Bonfires on the day of St. John (John) had a beneficial effect on the growth of planted plants, on the well-being of people and domestic animals. Similarly, they celebrated the day of the winter solstice - December 21.
Such ritual bonfires were lit throughout Scotland and Great Britain in the squares of villages and cities. In 1581, this ceremony was banned due to the high fire hazard, but the residents still continued to celebrate, despite all the prohibitions.
These days it was also customary to decorate houses, churches with flowers, tree branches and bunches of plants. Treats for neighbors were placed on the tables in front of each house.
Christmas traditions
The rite of celebration of the New Year (Hogmany) has been operating in Scotland for more than one century. He is met by the whole family, sitting by the fireplace. Traditionally, when the clock starts to strike, the owner opens the back door of the house to let out the Old Year. And at the last chime of the clock, you must quickly open the main entrance to meet the New.
Another Scottish tradition is called First Footing. All family members are expected to complete it after midnight. The first guest who knocks on the door must be a brunette, otherwise misfortune will come to the house (in the case of a woman or a blond). The messenger usually bringsnot only wishes for good and well-being, but also goodies, s alt or money.
Interestingly, according to the established tradition, the guest must kiss the girl who opens the door for him. Therefore, for a laugh, many Scots surprise their "first guest" in the form of an old woman whom he will have to kiss.
Scottish New Year dishes: boiled or roasted goose, oat cakes, apples in dough, pudding, whiskey and punch. In the center of the table there should be a cake with a symbol of heather, a cross, mountains and hands crossed over the sea. All night on New Year's Eve, the lights must be on in the house.
The main New Year's tradition is the torchlight procession, or the Feast of Fire, which symbolizes the burning of everything unpleasant and evil accumulated over the past 12 months. Torches, burning barrels and bonfires should clear the way for everything pure and bright that will happen in the new year.
Scottish wedding
The most beautiful and interesting family tradition and celebration in Scotland is the wedding, which has original features and a sequence of rituals. The very first step that a Scottish groom takes is to give his bride a Luchen booth brooch, which in the future will bring happiness, he alth and good luck not only to her, but also to future children. Another traditional gift is a silver spoon as a symbol of prosperity.
Delight among all guests and foreigners is always the groom's national costume, consisting of a white shirt, jacket, stockings and a kilt, as well as a deer fur bag,hanging from above. The color of the skirt should indicate the origin and clan of the groom.
At the wedding, all the men wearing a kilt do a frenetic sword dance, which professional dancers are sometimes sometimes called in to perform now.
During the ceremony, accompanied by the sounds of bagpipes and drums, the groom covers the bride's shoulders with a tartan scarf and stabs her with silver pins, and gives a horseshoe for good luck.
Unusual traditions of Scotland
One of the original sights of this country are the "mint trees" growing in the forest of the Peak District. They are interesting in that their entire trunk is littered with hammered metal money. This was done by superstitious people in ancient times, when it was customary to bring various values as a gift to the gods. According to some reports, this tradition originated as early as the 14th century, and ancient florins on trees were found just that way.
The tradition of driving coins into the bark of trees has remained even now, some locals specially come here to ask the spirits to fulfill their desires in this way.
It is difficult to describe absolutely all the customs and traditions of Scotland briefly, but the most original ones are still interesting not only for tourists who come here, the number of which increases annually, but also for the inhabitants of this beautiful country.
