Scotland

St. Bridget’s Day, Candlemas and Quarter Days

In Regency England, the quarter days were important events on the calendar. Rents were due, school terms started, and servants might be paid and hired. In England, these four dates fell on: Lady Day or March 25, Midsummer or June 24, Michaelmas or September 29, and Christmas Day. In Scotland, an older calendar held the…

Happy Hogmanay!

Otherwise known as Happy New Year! The origins of the word ‘Hogmanay’ are uncertain, with some saying it traces to old Norse, others to old Gaelic, and yet others think it traces to old French. In any case, the Scottish celebration of the last day of December—or the start of the new year—dates back to…