Halloween Across Borders: France, Canada, and Scotland’s Unique Take on a Timeless Tradition As October 31st dawns, Halloween brings its familiar thrill and mystery, casting a spell over many regions worldwide. This beloved holiday, filled with costumes, eerie tales, and gatherings, holds special significance in places where its Celtic origins are deeply rooted. Lean in as we explore Halloween’s spirit … Continue reading →
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 →
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 now 2013 and Scotiana’s team is happy to celebrate, with you all, this great moment 🙂 ! Happy New Year ! Health, Peace and Joy to everyone and may all your wishes come true ! ¸¸.•*¨*•♫♪ A New Year toast said by Scottish people ? “A guid New Year to ane an’ a’ and mony may ye see.” … Continue reading →
. Words rise out of the country. They are around us. In every month in the year we are surrounded by words. (Shall Gaelic Die? Iain Crichton Smith) Winter has its own dictionary, the words are a blizzard building a tower of Babel. Its grammar is like snow. (Shall Gaelic Die? Iain Crichton Smith) Time flies… St Valentine’s red roses … Continue reading →
A good festival should be an encounter: with ideas, people, cultures and the landscape. It should look outwards but rejoice at the best of what’s local. Adrian Turpin . Festival Director For those who, like us, cannot attend the Wigtown Book Festival this year, we invite you to browse the program, which, in itself, delivers much information on all the … Continue reading →
The tents began to go up. There was a specially large pavillion, so big that the tree that grew in the field was right inside it, and stood proudly near one end, at the head of the chief table. Lanterns were hung on all its branches. More promising still (to the hobbits’ mind) : an enormous open-air kitchen was erected … Continue reading →
