Scotland Customs and Traditions

Scotland has been handing down its traditions for close to a thousand years now, since the earliest days of the clans in the 12th century. However, Scottish traditions are not something sterile under glass and steel in a cold museum. They are vibrant, living things, constantly growing and evolving, and every generation adds the thumbprint of its own particular Scottish culture to the whole.

BAGPIPES, HAGGIS AND KILTS

Everybody knows the cliché of the piper on the shortbread tin. But have you experienced the breath-taking reality of a hundred pipers skirling in uplifting unison? This isn't an image from Scotland's cultural past: it happens every August at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and on Glasgow Green.

Or take food, for example. We all know the stereotypical notions of traditional Scottish fare - haggis, porridge and whisky. Not anymore. Scotland's new elite of super-chefs like Gordon Ramsay, Nick Nairn and Andrew Fairlie are taking the country's incredible natural produce – our beef, venison and seafood – and elevating them to Michelin starred levels.

Or that the kilt is making a comeback on the catwalk as designers like Jean Paul Gaultier, Vivienne Westwood and Glasgow's own Jonathan Saunders take traditional Scottish dress to places the clan chiefs never dreamed of.

BURNS AN A' THAT

The traditional Burns Supper, Hogmanay and St Andrews Day celebrations are still very much a part of Scottish culture but the Scots are now joined on these special days by Scot-o-philes across the globe. "Auld Lang Syne", a traditional Scottish song first written down by Burns, is the second most popular song in the world after "Happy Birthday".

ST. ANDREWS DAY

On 30 November, Scottish people celebrate St Andrew's Day, in memory of Scotland's patron saint.

St. Andrew was one of the Twelve Apostles (disciples of Jesus) and brother of Simon Peter (Saint Peter). He was a fisherman by trade, who lived in Galilee (in present-day Israel.)The Scottish Flag

The Scottish flag is the cross of St. Andrew, also known as the Saltire. It is said to be one of the oldest national flags of any country, dating back at least to the 12th century.

 Why is St Andrew's symbol a white cross on a blue background? St. Andrew is believed to have died on a diagonally transverse cross that the Romans sometimes used for executions and which, therefore, came to be called St. Andrew's cross.  The blue stands for the sky.

In Scotland, the traditional way to celebrate St. Andrew's Day is with plenty of bagpipe music, dancing, scotch and their favorite food.

Traditional dishes such as cock-a-leekie soup which is made with chicken and tatties-n-neeps or clapshot.  This delicious potato and turnip recipe will be served and relished for the day. Tipsy Laird is a favored cake dessert which contains a wee bit of brandy and sherry.

In St. Andrew (the city) there is a whole week of church services, festivities, concerts, fireworks, suppers and yes, whiskey drinking. They focus on celebrating Scotland and it's culture as well as St. Andrew. This week long event is relatively new but it is something that will continue to go on in years ahead.