Traditional Scottish | Scotland
Scottish Culture and Traditions
Just like any other culture, Scottish culture is one that stems far back many centuries in time. It has its roots deep in the sands of time, and to this day, the culture of Scotland still rises to make a place for itself in the modern world. There are many who go the extra mile to uphold Scottish culture through things as simple as everyday kilt wearing to eating traditional Scottish foods to even learning the Gaelic language. Scottish tradition is as important as any other, especially if your family had its origin in the country.
What is it that makes the Scots Scottish? And if you think of Scotland or its inhabitants what is the first thing that springs to mind? The history and the clans perhaps? The beautiful landscape? The castles? The bagpipes? The Highland Games? Or is it whisky? Fact is that you are likely to find some unique features in Scotland and its people that you won’t find easily, and originally, anywhere else in the world. For most outsiders Scotland is about clans, battles, kilts, tartan etc. It must be said though that this image is up to a certain point valid for the Highland-Gaelic area but doesn’t include the lowlands of Scotland although most people, and specially the tourist agents, want us to belief that. But let’s start with the typical images some of us have and deal with the other things that make the Scots Scottish later.
The word “clann” comes from the Gaelic and means children, and its members claimed kinship from the common ancestor whose name they bore, and even the poorest clansman considered themselves of nobler birth than any southerner.
He held his territory by consent of the clan whose members were his tenants, and they gave their loyalty to the chief.
The clans were distinguished by the badges in their bonnets. The MacDonalds wore a sprig of heather, the Grants fir, and the Macintoshes wore holly.
Each clan was ruled by a chief, and the members of a clan claimed descent from a common ancestor. The traditional garment of the Highland clansmen is the kilt (belted plaid), which is suitable for climbing the rough hills. Each clan had its own colourful pattern for weaving cloth and these patterns are called a tartan. Nowadays the kilt is no longer a historic dress but a national costume, proudly worn for special occasions such as weddings etc.The clans aren’t something from the past, they are still here today. Currently there are more than 500 active clans registered all over the world and they all play an important role in maintaining and celebrating the Scottish traditions. There are annually more than 100 gatherings of the clans, which draw many visitors to the Highlands.
The Gaelic language is also an important part of Scottish culture. As of the last census, there were more than 60,000 people found in Scotland who speak Gaelic. Most of these people can be found on the coast of Scotland, including the northwest coast, the Outer Hebrides and the other different Hebridean Islands. As there is a decline in the language, it is crucial that those serious about their Scottish heritage take up this language. There are many efforts being taken to help keep it alive in Scotland itself by offering courses in school on learning Gaelic as a second language.
The Highland Games are just as Scottish as anything else. These games take place not only in Scotland but all across the world today, making it easy for you to get involved in them. These events offer unique sports that are almost only done in the Highland Games, as well as a festival of traditional dress, music, dance, and games. There are also piping competitions that use the traditional Scottish bagpipes.Just as important as the sporting events are the piping competitions for individuals and bands and dancing competitions where you will see young children tripping the quick, intricate steps of such traditional dances as the Highland fling.
Despite their name, Highland Games are held all over Scotland, From Spring To late Autumn: they vary in size and differ in the range of events they offer, and although the most famous are at Oban, Cowal and especially Braemar, often the smaller ones are more fun.
The Highland Games probably originated in the fourteenth century as a means of recruiting the best fighting men for the clan chiefs, and were popularised by Queen Victoria to encourage the traditional dress, music, games and dance of the highlands, various royals still attend the games at Braemar.
The most distinctive events are known as the heavies tossing the caber, putting the stone, and tossing the weight over the bar, all of which require prodigious strength and skill. Tossing the caber is the most spectacular and the most well known event in the highland games, when the athlete must run carrying an entire tree trunk and attempt to heave is end over end in a perfect, elegant throw.
When on holiday in Scotland the Highland games should not be missed and will give you a great insight of Scottish traditions, and leave you with many memories of a great day.
Highland Dress and bagpipes together offer a unique appearance that commemorates Scottish culture on its own. You can wear Highland Dress kilt attire, including a scottish kilt , kilt jackets, kilt hose, kilt flags, sporrans and all of the other accessories.
Highland Dress which consists of a kilt and other pieces of clothing depending on the occasion. The Scottish kilt is usually worn with kilt hose (woollen socks), turned down at the knee, often with garter flashes, and a sporran (a type of pouch), which hangs around the waist from a chain or leather strap. This may be plain or embossed leather, or decorated with sealskin, fur, or polished metal plating. Other accessories which are often used are a belt with embossed buckle, Argyll jacket, a kilt pin and a black knife worn in the top of the right hose.
Scotland is often associated with bagpipes but the interesting fact is that bagpipes aren’t originally from Scotland. Bagpipes originate from southern Europe and appear in Scotland around 1400 AD. The Scottish Bagpipe, or Great Highland Bagpipe, became established in the British military and achieved the widespread prominence it enjoys today, whereas other bagpipe traditions throughout Europe, ranging from Spain to Russia, almost universally went into decline by the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Though widely famous for its role in military and civilian pipe bands, the Great Highland Bagpipe is also used for a solo virtuosic style called pibroch. If you’re interested you can visit the annual Glasgow International Piping Festival which is held in August.
Bagpipes Scottish Instruments
Your bagpipes are an investment, and just like any other important investment, they should be cared for and protected to ensure they last as long as possible. The Scottish Bagpipe Carrying Bag is an excellent choice for those looking to keep their bagpipe in the best condition possible both when toting them around to performances and for storage. This carrying bag offers hand straps for you to easily pick up and carry your bagpipes, or you can carry it more comfortably by using the shoulder strap to help spread out the weight of the instrument. When you aren't using the bagpipes, you can keep them tucked away inside of the durable carrying bag to stop them from getting scratched or covered in dust. The black color is neutral enough that it can easily be worn with any of the kilt attire you prefer without it clashing with the colors.
Scotland’s national dish is haggis, a savoury meat pudding, and it’s traditionally accompanied by mashed potatoes, turnips (known as ‘neeps’) and a whisky sauce. Which brings us to the national drink – whisky. Over 100 distilleries in Scotland produce this amber-hued liquid, many of which can be explored on a tour. There are five Scottish whisky regions, each with their own distinct flavours, and rumour has it that if you don’t think you like whisky, it’s just because you haven’t found the right one yet!
Other traditional things to eat include deserts such as Cranachan, sweet treats like shortbread and tablet and savoury dishes, including Scotch broth and black pudding. Various regional cakes and snacks can be found across the country, including Aberdeenshire butteries, which is a type of bread roll, Dundee Cake and Cullen Skink – a deliciously creamy seafood soup.
There is also Irn-Bru, a carbonated fruit flavoured soft drink, which also carries the title of Scottish National Drink, or perhaps better the “other” national drink. Another typical Scottish thing is Shortbread, a buttery biscuit, available almost anywhere and specially in the tourist shops! Read more in our Scottish Food Guide.
Traditionally it is a gathering or social event, and it didn’t necessarily involve any dancing. These days a Ceilidh is a sociable way to bring people together involving Scottish music and dance.
Children ceilidh, old people ceilidh, people with disabilities ceilidh. It is an inclusive Scottish past time. It’s fun. It’s good to stimulate your blood flow and coordination. It makes you more attractive (probably!).
A ceilidh is a traditional Gaelic social gathering,
playing folk music and dancing and this is very much the case today.
stories and tales were rehearsed and recited, and songs were sung.
traditional Scottish dances which come in many forms and paces to suite both the young and the old.
The number of Scots who say they are not religious has risen to almost three quarters, according to new research.
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-41294688
The Scottish Presbyterians is the official, as well as the largest, church in the country. The Church of Scotland, as it is called, claims the adherence of nearly half the population. Roman Catholics, particularly strong in the western Highlands, make up the second-largest group of worshippers. After the church visit on Sunday morning you’ll find out something that isn’t at all common in other European countries, the Sunday Paper. Don’t be surprised when visiting a local shop in the Highlands that around two o’clock it suddenly becomes very crowded. The reason for that is the arrival of the Sunday Paper, bought by many and often accompanied with a (wee) bottle of the national drink! While most of the readers go back home, others regard this as an opportunity to visit the local pub and meet their friends.
Other sports are also rooted in Scotland's history books and play a massive part in the cultural makeup of our country. Sports such as shinty, curling, and, of course, the unique Scottish Highland Games provide a wonderfully traditional activity for those looking for something a little different.
For many (overseas) tourists Scotland is renowned for being the “Home of Golf” and many visitors are very keen to play the famous links at St. Andrews in Fife. For the Scots themselves soccer is the national passion and beating England the most important goal, and this is not only in soccer… Also famous in soccer is “The Old Firm”, a common collective name for Celtic and Rangers, both football clubs from Glasgow.
It’s uphill task to write everything down that’s related to Scottish Culture, otherwise it would become an endless page. You will find that much of the Scottish culture and traditions are saved in the many festivals that are held annually, all over the country and all year round and perhaps especially during Hogmanay. The best thing to do is go out there, spend some time in one place, visit the pubs and ceilidhs, experience some of the festivals and other events and try to get to know the locals a bit better. That’s how you discover for yourself what the Scots and their culture are all about and you will be pleasantly surprised.