Scottish Traditions even if not Leith`s alone
The Scramble
On her wedding day, the bride while leaving her home to get married would throw the brightly decorated marriage ba`, this was similar to a football and was sought after by all the young men. Over the years this tradition changed and became the scamble, scoor oot, scatter or poor-oot. The idea remained the same but instead of the ba`, the money to buy a ball was thrown instead.
It is still common in Scotland for the bride to throw money from the car when leaving the house on the way to the wedding. The children still vie each other for the coins.
Other guests at the wedding were expected to do likewise. Failing to do so they were called `skinflints`.
......
Wedding cake Scottish
After the meal the brides mother used to break the brides cake ( a type of shortbread) over the brides head. If it broke into small pieces it meant the marriage would be fruitful but if it stayed in large pieces it would signify infertility.
The cake often had hidden trinkets in it that would be given to the guests.
The unmarried girls took a piece of cake and put it under their pillows to dream on. Some modern bridesmaids do this today. The young girls would also crumble a piece of cake through a wedding ring to ensure that they too would marry.
Traditionally the top tier was saved as a christening cake; the other tiers were cut into slices as a thank you to the people who had given presents to the bridal couple.
......
Christening Piece
Traditionally given to the first person of the opposite sex of the baby that was met when the christening party were leaving home for the ceremony. Various reasons are given for this tradition.
......
Meeting the Baby for First Time
On meeting a new baby for the first time, many Scots still put a silver coin in the child's hand. If the child holds on to the coin, he or she will be thrifty and prosperous, but if they let the coin drop, the child will never be rich.
......
Hogmanay
During the Protestant Reformation period, Christmas was banned as it was seen as being Roman Catholic and the celebrations were banned in Scotland for hundreds of years. Indeed it wasn't even a public holiday and many people had to work.
Somewhere along the line New Year became the time for having time off work; celebrating with family etc and it became a much bigger and more important celebration than Christmas.
All the Hogmanay customs and celebrations are seen as a huge part of Scottish culture, and now have spread throughout the world. Yhis include `"First Footing".
Shortbread is generally associated with and originated in Scotland and has been described shortbread as "the jewel in the crown" of Scottish baking.
......
Hunting the Gowk aka Hunty Gowk
The Scottish appear to have enthusiastically embraced April Fool's Day earlier than the British. They developed a tradition known as 'hunting the gowk' (gowk being a term for a cuckoo bird).
To be sent on a 'gowk hunt' meant to be sent on a fool's errand. The victim would be asked to deliver a note that, unbeknown to him, read, "Never laugh, never smile, Hunt the gowk another mile." Recipients of this note would duly redirect the poor victim somewhere else until they had been run all over town.
The Scottish also prolong the April Foolery by celebrating Taily Day on April 2nd. This day is set aside for rump-related jokes, such as pinning paper tails on people's posteriors.
There was also a strict custom in all countries that the foolery could begin at midnight of April 1 but had to end by noon. Pranksters who failed to observe this rule themselves became the April Fool.
April Fool is past; you`re a silly Ass.
Any more you can think off? Let me know.
