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[auldscotsyear]

#OTD in 1563, the notorious Witchcraft Act was first passed. It would claim thousands of lives over the next 170 years.

[auldscotsyear]

Lilias Day

Lilias Day. Of unknown origin, the first Saturday in June has been the occasion of celebrations at Kilbarchan in Renfrewshire since at least the 1930s. It is a festival of the area's history, and particularly the life of the famous piper Habbie Simpson (1550 - 1620). A piper dressed as Habbie leads the procession, and Habbie's statue on the Steeple Building is alleged to come to life.

[auldscotsyear]

Beith Trades Race

The first Friday in June used to be the occasion of the Trades Race in Beith, Ayrshire. The tradesmen of the town would parade with flags and music; the merchants did the same the following day. #dailyfolklore

[auldscotsyear]

The Laird o Wariston

"But Wariston was sair to blame,

For slighting o his lady so;

He had the wyte o his ain death,

And bonny lady’s overthrow." ~ #OTD 1600, Jean Livingston was executed in the Canongate for murdering her abusive husband, as recounted in many versions of the tragic ballad "The Laird o Wariston". #FolkloreThursday #dailyfolklore

[auldscotsyear]

Portree Fair

Portree Fair, beginning on the last Wednesday in May, used to be one of the greatest cattle markets in the Hebrides.

[auldscotsyear]

Scottish feast of St Dagán, supposed Bishop of Whithorn in the early C7. He is identified with at least one Irish bishop of the same name, who opposed the Roman mission to England and refused to eat with St Laurence of Canterbury, but there seems to be much confusion between different men of the same name, none of whom were associated with this date in Ireland. #dailyfolklore

[auldscotsyear]

Now that's what I call rent control

At #Pentecost the rent for Dalkeith Castle fell due: a single pair of white gloves each year, to be collected from the Douglas of Dalkeith by the monarch in person. #dailyfolklore

[auldscotsyear]

Atholl Highlanders' Gathering

The Atholl Highlanders' Gathering begins today at Blair Castle. The Atholl Regiment is the last legal private army in Europe; they will parade today and hold Highland Games tomorrow.

[auldscotsyear]

Whitsun Fair

#Whitsun Fair, Laurencekirk, Angus, used to be held #OTD for the hiring of unmarried servants. (Married ones were hired in January.)

[auldscotsyear]

The Thursday before #Pentecost used to be the occasion of a fair and cattle market in New Cumnock, Ayrshire.

[auldscotsyear]

“My name was Captain Kidd, As I sailed, as I sailed, My name was Captain Kidd, When I sailed; My name was Captain Kidd, God’s laws I did forbid, And most wickedly I did, As I sailed.” ~ William Kidd, hanged in London #OTD 1701 and commemorated in song, was born and raised in Dundee.

[auldscotsyear]

The Summer Fair in Greenlaw, one of the biggest cattle markets in Berwickshire, used to be held #OnThisDay.

[auldscotsyear]

Dunnichen Day

#OnThisDay in 685, Picts under Bridei III routed the invading Northumbrians at Dunnichen, killing their king Ecgfrith. The ghosts of the fallen are still said to reenact the battle. #dailyfolklore

[auldscotsyear]

Musselburgh Silver Arrow

The 3rd Thursday in May is the usual date (with occasional variation) when the Royal Company of Archers compete for the Musselburgh Silver Arrow. Instituted in 1603, this is sometimes said to be the oldest sporting trophy in the world (though it may not even be Scotland's oldest, as the siller guns of Kirkcudbright and Dumfries are both said to date to the 1580s). A pipe band will lead the company through the town before the competition.

[auldscotsyear]

May Fair

May Fair, Hawick, Roxburghshire, used to be held #OTD for the sale of cattle and horses and the hiring of servants. #dailyfolklore

[auldscotsyear]

Latha Murchaidh Bheig (Little Murchadh's Day). The parish of Borve in Barra was dedicated to St Brendan, who was said to have founded it, and it was traditionally forbidden to plough on his feast day: but Little Murchadh, a local farmer, broke the taboo, with the result that his fields were cursed and nothing would grow there that year. Local people renamed the day in memory of Murchadh's transgression. #dailyfolklore

[auldscotsyear]

14th May used to be considered so unlucky in Logierait that no weddings could be held on the day of the week it had fallen on in a given year. The reason for this is forgotten. #dailyfolklore #FolkloreSunday