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Did You Know?
No one knows the origin of the word Hogmanay.
Until late in the twentieth century, Hogmanay was celebrated on two distinct dates, twelve days apart.
On the island of Islay, it was a Hogmanay custom to predict who you would marry by throwing fish at the wall.
There is more to Hogmanay than fireworks – firstfooting, Guisers, thiggers, mass ball games, clavies and the Dingwall Crate all feature within. Oh, and don’t forget to look out for the Trows!
The Little Book of Hogmanay is a feast of information exploring the history, folklore, tales, food, drink and traditions of Hogmanay, from its pagan roots to its celebratory present.
Whether you need a user’s guide or an anthology of entertainment, The Little Book of Hogmanay will tell you all you ever wanted to know about Scotland’s most widely and wildly celebrated festival.
25th January, 2019 in Biography & Memoir, Local & Family History
As the national poet of Scotland, Robert Burns has naturally been eulogised, canonised, mythologised and, at times, sanitised. None of this has detracted from his brilliance and his enduring legacy, which continues to inspire both writers and ordinary Scots to this day. 25 J…
18th December, 2015 in Folklore
Night after night Scheherazade kept herself alive by telling stories to the murderous king. After a thousand and one nights he had become so entranced by her skills that, instead of having her executed, he married her. Storytelling saved her bacon. It’s often claimed that storyte…
