#scottish christmas

[blairstales]

Have you heard about Crom Dubh na Nollaig? In Ireland, he is far more different than he is in Scotland. In Ireland, he has two main backstories:

In association to Saint Patrick where he serves as a point of conflict

A god for whom people left flowers for at Altóir na Greine(Altar of the Sun) on Crom Dubh Sunday until the alter was destroyed for construction in the 1800's.

In parts of Scotland, however, Crom Dubh na Nollaig was the personification of the wind howling in the chimney during Yule/Christmas("Nollaig" is another name for Christmas), and his howling reminded children to behave or risk being taken by him. There is a short historic audio recording about him here.

(And before someone mentions it, yes I am aware the above image is of Krampus. It was the closest I could get)

[celtfather]

We Wish You A Celtic Christmas

Nollaig shona daoibh on this Christmas Eve with Celtic Christmas Music #74.

Scythian, The McDades, The Jig is Up!, Enda Reilly, Alisa Marie, The Chivalrous Crickets, Plunk Murray, Steel Clover, Screaming Orphans, Anne Roos & David Blonski, The Gothard Sisters, The Celtic Kitchen Party, Ashley Davis, Cherish The Ladies

0:06-Scythian "Christmas Eve Reel feat. Boxing Banjo, Nolan Ladewski" from Christmas Out at Sea

3:09-WELCOME TO CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC

I am Marc Gunn. Celtic musician and podcaster. We are promoting Celtic culture through Christmas cheer. If you hear music you love, please support the artists. Visit the shownotes to find out more about the artists and follow the show at CelticChristmasPodcast.com.

This episode is thanks to the kindness and generosity of our patrons on Patreon. Do you love Celtic Music? Do you also love Christmas music? Then please support us on Patreon. We only release shows in 3 months out of the year and not many. So your kindness shares Celtic culture through Christmas cheer!

A big thanks to our Patreon Producers AK Palmar and Carol Baril.

4:38 - The McDades "See Amid the Winter's Snow" from A Winter Collection

8:15 - The Jig is Up! "Three Ships on the Ocean" from A Penny for the Wren

10:47 - Enda Reilly "It's Christmas Eve" from Christmas is With Us (Tá An Nollaig Linn)

13:28 - Alisa Marie "The First Noel" from Winter Harp (by the fireside)

15:01 - The Chivalrous Crickets "The Wexford Carol - The First of Winter" from A Chivalrous Cricketmas

20:44 - Plunk Murray "Christmas in the Old Man's Hat" from Christmas in the Pub

25:22 - SUBSCRIBE TO ICMP

If you love Celtic music, make sure you subscribe to our companion podcast, the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Every week, I share amazing independent Celtic music from musicians around the globe. It’s all at CelticMusicPodcast.com.

26:11 - Steel Clover "As Lately We Watched" from Season Of Love

29:07 - Screaming Orphans "Wishing You a Merry Christmas" from Happy Christmas, Vol. 1

32:53 - Anne Roos & David Blonski "Song of the Piper" from A Winter's Dance

37:16 - The Gothard Sisters "Deck the Halls" from A Celtic Christmas

40:34 - The Celtic Kitchen Party "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" from One Celtic Christmas

42:35 - Ashley Davis "Sailing Back to You" from Songs of the Celtic Winter II

47:09 - CLOSING

48:14 - Cherish The Ladies "Silent Night" from On Christmas Night

53:55 - CREDITS

Celtic Christmas Music was produced by Marc Gunn, Carol Baril, AK Palmar and our Christmas Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to subscribe to the podcast. You’ll find links to all of the artists played in this episode.

You can subscribe to our Celtic Music Magazine and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free plus, you’ll get 7 weekly news items about what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online. And best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage.

Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor.

Finally, remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on climate change.

Promote Celtic culture through Christmas music at CelticChristmasPodcast.com.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh!

#celticchristmas #celticchristmasmusic

  Check out this episode!

[dragonstepp]

Kilts

Hallmark in its christmas shows this yearwrie has one called The Merry Scottish Christmas. In it, one fellow asks a man what goes under the kilt. The man replied well you can go commando, but I wear shorts. Then in another shot when the guys were dancing a jig, one guy did a swirl, and he was wearing blue jockey shorts.

Don't know why you should care, and maybe you don't, but I just thought this was important to tell you.

Carol in Austin

[horrorxweasley]

In Scotland we leave out a glass of Whisky for Santa lmao imagine (if he was real) how absolutley PISHED he would be bu the end of the night drinking all of that 😂

[ingravinoveritas]

Michael and David at the Lapland UK Christmas Entertainment Centre. Love that these pics look like a Christmas card... (Pics via VK DT Asylum.)

[huariqueje]

DECEMBER, from Months of the Year, Green - Rory Hutton , 2023.

Scottish , b. 1980s

Linocut , 29.7 x 21.5 cm. 11¾ x 8½ in.

Edition of 25

[david-tennant-in-chairs]

Sleepytime chic

[rainbowpopeworld]

A little bit of ghost of Christmas Present, played by David Tennant, as a treat ❤️

In response to what’s said in the video: He *is* effeminate and it’s a fucking delight 😍🥰

[despisedtoolofsatan]

[thesixthduke]

[heatherandthistles]

Christmas nights 🎄✨

[blairstales]

Traditional Ways to Celebrate a Scottish Yule/Christmas

In this post I want to talk about traditional Yule practices in Scotland, but it may be noticed that there is little to no talk about going to church at all. This is not an intentional slight against the church, but simply that my sources don’t tend to mention it as part of the celebrations. Instead, most the traditions mention time with family and friends, as much and as grand of food as one could afford, and traditions to fight darkness/evil spirits.

All that may seem strange, but many of the traditions we do today were also done in Scotland. For example, the very idea of the Christmas Card is said to have been invented in Edinburgh.

"The idea of the greetings card was proposed to Mr. Drummond by an Edinburgh friend, Mr. Thomas Sturrock of Trinity, and the engraving was made by Mr. A. T. Aikman. It was the face of a cubby-cheeked boy with twinkling eyes, his face crinkled with laughter." Silver Bough: Vol 3 by F. Marian McNeill

Other traditions will be certainly less recognizable.

If you want to know about the basics of a Scottish historical Yule first, I have a post on that as well.

1. BREAKFAST

Today, some people have a tradition of a big breakfast on Christmas/Yule day, and that is not a new custom.

"The breakfast on Christmas morning was the best that could be afforded–milk porridge, creamy milk, butter, fish, ect." Notes on The Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland By Walter Gregor [1881]

Some people would have mutton, beef, or goose, while others ate a customary dish. People would typically just eat what they could afford, but a common dish was Sowens.

“The other was a cake the leaven of which had been moistened with water poured off “sowens,” which gave it a peculiar acid flavour. It was essential that both these kinds of cake should be baked during the night—at any rate, before daybreak on Christmas morning.” A History of Moray and Nairn by Charles J. Rampini (1897)

The women of the house would typically make it without any men around, then distribute it to the household while they were in bed (breakfast in bed).

Nine o’clock was an orthodox hour in Carglen , and at nine o’clock it was the orthodox rule to retire to rest , even on the eve of Yule . That is to say , the men folks retired ; the women were busy with the “ sowens ” -mysterious decoction ! So we all went to bed till midnight , and at the mystic hour of twelve the female folks awoke us , and deluged our stomachs till they could hold no more with the sweet , vile “ sowens . ”  The Folks O’ Carglen, Or, Life in the North Book by Alexander Gordon (1891)

2. FIRST-FOOTING

Just like on Hogmanay, some places practiced “first footing,” where it was considered lucky if a dark haired person was first to enter.

To start, a person would open the door, and be lucky for doing so. This was called “letting in Yule.”

"In some parts of Scotland , he who first opens the door on Yule Day expects to prosper more than any other member of the family during the future year because , as the vulgar express it , “ He lets in yule . " ”British Popular Customs, Present and Past; Illustrating the Social and Domestic by T. F. Thiselton-Dyer (1848-1923)

Then comes the superstition regarding hair. If the first person to enter your home had dark hair, that was also lucky.

3. NEW CLOTHES

It was often considered necessary to wear new clothes on Christmas day, and those without it would be rudely ridiculed.

Every means was used to have some piece of new dress, no matter how small. The one who was so unfortunate as to be without such a piece of dress bore the name of “Yeel’s jaad. Notes on The Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland By Walter Gregor [1881]

4. DANCING

Balls were one way to celebrate, and some were so much fun, that they could go on until daylight. Most commonly, these were held in barns.

"Balls were among the amusements of the season. A barn, conveniently situated for the district and sufficiently large, was selected. It was swept as clean as possible, and filled up with seats round the wall–deals supported on all manner of supports–stones, turf, cart-wheel bushes, bags filled with grain, &c. A plentiful supply of eaten cakes, biscuits, cheese, fish, ale, porter, whisky, and sugar for the toddy, was got, and committed to the care, of a few of the “hehds o’ the ball.” Notes on The Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland By Walter Gregor [1881]

5. GAMES

After breakfast, games would be played. This could be anything from Shinty, to a shooting contest, to some other type of game.

"As the day advances , those minor amusements are terminated at the report of the gun , or the rattle of the ball – clubs – the gun inviting the marksman to the ” Kiavamuchd , ” or prize – shoot ing , and the latter to ” Luchd – vouil , ” or the ball combatants – both the principal sports of the day ." The Popular Superstitions and Festive Amusements of the Highlanders of Scotland by William Grant Stewart (1823)

6. SAINING

Saining is the process of cleansing something or bestowing protection from the powers of evil. These could fight fairies, witchcraft, the evil eye, or bad luck.

On the 24th, fairies and trows in particular were said to be out in full force, so extra protection was in order.

In the case of Christmas, Juniper smoke may be used.

"A fire was kindled in each byre on Christmas morning, and in parts of the country the byres were purified by burning juniper in them." Notes on The Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland By Walter Gregor [1881]

As well as that, if you did not want something to go missing, it was recommended to put it away.

7. DINNER

Dinner traditions would change depending on your wealth and location.

"To have flesh for the Yeel dinner great exertion was made, as it was thought that the cattle would not thrive during the year if it was awanting. It was a custom not to sit down to the great dinner of the year till after sunset. The Yeel kebback was cut by the gueedeman. During the whole time of Yeel the diet was more generous than at other times." Notes on The Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland By Walter Gregor [1881]

Sometimes, the main dish would be dumplings or fish.

“Yeel” fish was bought. Sometimes this was done from fisherwomen who carried them over the country. Sometimes those in better circumstances went to the fishing villages, and bought the fish from the boat, carried them home, cured them, and smoked them on the kiln. Notes on The Folk-Lore of the North-East of Scotland By Walter Gregor [1881]

Even the cattle and sheep would get extra sheaf on Yule and New Year.

8. STORIES

Stories were a must, and sometimes that involved heading out to collect a good (old) storyteller.

This errand , on which we suppose the gude man and his assistants employed , is the procuring of Calluch Nollic , or Christmas Old Wife , an indispensable requisite for this occasion , and it will perhaps puzzle some of our readers , to guess the purpose for which the good woman is wanted . The Popular Superstitions and Festive Amusements of the Highlanders of Scotland by William Grant Stewart (1823)

Interestingly, other places had story traditions as well. For example, ghost stories were a common Christmas pass-time for the Victorians.

[celtfather]

Christmas with the McDades

The McDades talk about their annual Christmas concert and new album, plus lots more Celtic Christmas Music #73.

We Banjo 3, The Sternwheelers, Brendan Monaghan, Julia Lane, The McDades, Ashley Davis, Crossed Cannons, Screaming Orphans, Scythian

CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC SHOW

0:02 - Intro: The McDades

0:10 - We Banjo 3 "Sunrise at Solstice" from A Winter Wonderful

3:11 - WELCOME TO CELTIC CHRISTMAS MUSIC

I am Marc Gunn. Celtic musician and podcaster. We are promoting Celtic culture through Christmas cheer. If you hear music you love, please support the artists. Visit the shownotes to find out more about the artists and follow the show at CelticChristmasPodcast.com.

This episode is thanks to the kindness and generosity of our patrons on Patreon. Do you love Celtic Music? Do you also love Christmas music? Then please support us on Patreon. We only release shows in 3 months out of the year and not many. So your kindness shares Celtic culture through Christmas cheer!

We have a brand new Celtic Christmas Music producer. A big thanks to AK Palmar who signed up as a producer of the podcast!

4:02 - The Sternwheelers "No Room For A Christmas Tree" from Fairytale of New York

8:19 - Brendan Monaghan "The Snow Fell Down" from Lovers Always Win

11:59 - Julia Lane "January Thaw" from Angels We Have Heard (Beloved Music of Yuletide)

13:49 - INTERVIEW

22:07 - The McDades "The Holly and the Ivy" from A Winter Collection

25:58 - INTERVIEW

30:15 - The McDades "Dreaming on a Yuletide Night" from A Winter Collection

32:43 - INTERVIEW

39:24 - The McDades "Guillo, Pran ton Tamborin" from A Winter Collection

42:18 - INTERVIEW OUTRO

If you love Celtic music, make sure you subscribe to our companion podcast, the Irish & Celtic Music Podcast. Every week, I share amazing independent Celtic music from musicians around the globe. The Celtic Top 20 episode takes place during the last week of the year. So mark your calendar. And also check out our hour - long Celtic Christmas special on that podcast. It’s all at CelticMusicPodcast.com.

42:53 - Ashley Davis "Let Merry Meet" from Songs of the Celtic Winter II

46:06 - Crossed Cannons "All For Me Nog" from A Pirate Christmas Story

49:03 - Screaming Orphans "We Three Kings" from Happy Christmas, Vol. 1

52:50 - CLOSING

53:34 - Scythian "God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen" from Christmas Out at Sea

57:30 - CREDITS

Celtic Christmas Music was produced by Marc Gunn, Carol Baril, AK Palmar and our Christmas Patrons on Patreon. The show was edited by Mitchell Petersen with Graphics by Miranda Nelson Designs. Visit our website to subscribe to the podcast. You’ll find links to all of the artists played in this episode.

You can subscribe to our Celtic Music Magazine and get 34 Celtic MP3s for Free plus, you’ll get 7 weekly news items about what’s happening with Celtic music and culture online. And best of all, you will connect with your Celtic heritage.

Please tell one friend about this podcast. Word of mouth is the absolute best way to support any creative endeavor.

Finally, remember. Reduce, reuse, recycle, and think about how you can make a positive impact on climate change.

Promote Celtic culture through Christmas music at CelticChristmasPodcast.com.

Nollaig Shona Daoibh!

#celticchristmas #celticchristmasmusic

  Check out this episode!

[scotianostra]

West Princes Street Gardens

[myfairynuffstuff]

Craigie Aitchison (1926 - 2009) - Christmas Rose. Oil on canvas.

[ingravinoveritas]

If at this point you still think Michael and David would somehow be uncomfortable with people shipping them after they've just created their own actual couple-themed Christmas card, I don't even know what to tell you...