Happy Hogmanay, Happy Hogman-eh, Happy New Year et Bonne Année 2023! The Scottish word for New Year’s Eve, Hogmanay, refers to the ancient Norse festival of Yule, celebrated at the turn of the year. Today, the New Year’s eve party in Edinburgh, is one of the grandest, most spectacular, and most extravagant street festivals on earth. In Glasgow, the partying … Continue reading →
Time flies! And with it another month has come and gone…and on the eve of a new month, in all time zones, it may be April’s Fool’s Day, but the need to protect our planet is no joke. April is Earth Month, and April 22nd is Earth Day but should we not celebrate our beautiful and supportive blue planet upon … Continue reading →
Today, 15 August 2021, is a keydate on the Scottish calendar. It is the 250th birthday of Sir Walter Scott, one of the most popular authors in Scotland and his popularity goes far beyond its frontiers. As one of his French admirers, I could not help writing a few lines on Scotiana today. How I would like to be in … Continue reading →
The countdown to 2020 is well and truly on…..A guid New Year to ane an` a` and mony may ye see! Happy Hogmanay from Scotiana! Our team wishes you all the very best of Scottish travels in 2020 and throughout its decennial 🙂
Continue reading →As you’ve guessed, Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year. Nobody is quite sure where the name comes from. A few theories include the Gaelic Og maidne or new morning and the Norman French word hoguinane which was derived from the Old French anguillanneuf or “Gift at New Year.” Hogmanay’s roots reach back to the pagan practice of sun and fire … Continue reading →
It’s celebration time in the beautiful province of Quebec, in Canada, as Quebecers are taking part in Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and Fête Nationale du Quebec festivities. The public holiday celebrates the culture and heritage of francophones inside Quebec and across the country, and how they have shaped it. While the religious significance of the civic celebration is gone, the day remains … Continue reading →
With 39 different local times in use, it takes 26 hours for the New Year to encompass all time zones 😉 Happy Hogmanay to our Scottish friends! “Each age has deemed the new-born year ‘The fittest time for festal cheer’. ” — Walter Scott Bonne Année à nos amis de la France et du Québec! “Saluons ensemble cette nouvelle année … Continue reading →
“LIBERTÉ, ÉGALITÉ, FRATERNITÉ” Dear readers, Just a few words today in memory of all the people who fell victim in the Paris attacks of 13 November 2015… Iain and Margaret sent us a very moving message on this sad occasion: “Our hearts and minds are with the people of France today, a country and a people committed … Continue reading →