When it comes to New Year traditions, Scotland has an undeniable knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Take the Lanark Het Pint, for example—a local custom that combines community spirit, fiery drinks, and a good dose of history.…
If New Year’s Eve is a polite handshake with the year ahead, Scottish Hogmanay is a full-on, whisky-fuelled bear hug. Forget the glittery countdowns and resolutions destined to fail—Hogmanay is where the real magic happens. This uniquely Scottish celebration is…
Ring in the New Year with a fiery spectacle that’s sure to light up your life—literally! Looking for a New Year’s Eve celebration with some serious spark? Travel to Stonehaven, a picturesque coastal town in Scotland, for the Stonehaven Fireballs…
Step into Orkney’s ultimate Christmas and New Year’s brawl—where the only thing more chaotic than the game is figuring out who’s winning. Welcome to Kirkwall, the capital of Orkney, where centuries of tradition collide in one of Scotland’s most eccentric…
Witness the arrival of the Old Pretender and the dramatic unfolding of the Jacobite rebellion. On December 22, 1715, James Edward Stuart, also known as the Old Pretender and son of the deposed King James II, landed in Peterhead, north-east…
Celebrate the birth of a dance visionary in Scotland’s historic heartland. On December 11, 1929, Sir Kenneth MacMillan, one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, was born in the ancient town of Dunfermline, Scotland. From humble beginnings,…
Witness the arrival of a queen whose life would be defined by intrigue, power, and tragedy in the heart of Renaissance Scotland. On December 8, 1542, Mary Stuart—better known as Mary, Queen of Scots—was born at Linlithgow Palace. Destined to…
Step back in time to the quaint Scottish village that gave the world a literary giant. On December 4, 1785, in the quiet village of Ecclefechan, Scotland, Thomas Carlyle was born. This son of a stonemason would go on to…
Every 30 November, Scotland honours its patron saint, St Andrew, with a day of national pride, festivity, and a hearty dose of haggis. It’s a day when Scots (and those who wish they were) revel in everything from ceilidh dancing…
As the leaves crunch beneath your feet and the air gets crisper, the dark skies over Edinburgh spark to life with a festival that is both ancient and otherworldly: the Samhuinn Fire Parade. Held on 31 October, this spectacle celebrates…
