What Do Scots Eat For Christmas And Hogmanay Celebrations? (2024)

FAQs

What do Scots eat on Hogmanay? ›

Fruitcake, shortbread and black bun are the customary dishes to offer guests, and to present to hosts when first footing. A flute of champagne lends a celebratory sparkle to any occasion, but the only drink with which to toast the bells at Hogmanay is of course Scotch whisky.

Scottish Christmas food

Soup, smoked salmon, pâté and haggis are common starters. For the main course, roast turkey tends to be the most popular dish. But you might also be able to choose from options such as glazed ham, roast beef or goose.

New Year's Eve is a big celebration for millions of people all over the world. But it is a particularly big deal in Scotland where it is called Hogmanay. Festivities such as fireworks and street parties take place all over Scotland and last for three days, beginning at the end of December and ending on 2 January.

Scottish people celebrate Christmas by drawing on plenty of other traditions found across countries in Europe and the West. In Scotland, you'll see Christmas trees lighting up people's houses and wreaths on the front door. People put presents under the tree and leave mince pies for Father Christmas on Christmas Eve.

Haggis. Haggis is our national dish, and the first recipe dates back to the 15th century (in recorded history).

A Scottish speciality is the traditional Christmas cake, the "Whisky Dundee". As the name implies, the cake originated in Dundee, and is made with Scotch whisky. It is a light and crumbly cake, and light on fruit and candied peel; only currants, raisins, sultanas and cherries.

Santa. Known around the world as Father Christmas, Saint Nicholas, Santa Claus, Kris Kringle & Papa Noel, in Scotland we simply refer to Father Christmas as Santa.

Cosy tartan scarves, quirky Christmas tree decorations, charming highland cow throws and luxury cashmere gloves are just some of the traditional Scottish Christmas gifts in our collection. Perhaps you know someone with an affinity or connection with a Scottish Clan?

Before the Reformation in 1560, Christmas in Scotland had been a religious feasting day. Then, with the powerful Kirk frowning upon anything related to Roman Catholicism, the Scottish Parliament passed a law in 1640 that made celebrating 'Yule vacations' illegal. The baking of Yule bread was a criminal act!

Why do Scottish people eat steak pie on new year's Day? ›

Enjoying some Scotch Beef steak pie can remind us of fond memories of feasting with friends and family and remains a great way to welcome in the new year, whether on our own or with those we love.

Roast turkey is the traditional main course. However, a variation on the turkey stuffing, made with haggis, is a great idea for enjoying a turkey dish. Brussels sprouts, carrots, pigs in a blanket and Yorkshire puddings are part of its decoration.

'Nollaig Chridheil' means Merry Christmas in Scottish Gaelic. You could also say 'Nollaig Chridheil agus Bliadhna Mhath Ùr' which means Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

The traditional entrée served on New Year's Eve in Scotland is called Haggis. Haggis is a dish made from the heart, liver, and lungs of a sheep, mixed with onion, oatmeal, spices, and stock, all encased in the sheep's stomach. It is typically served with neeps and tatties, which are mashed turnips and potatoes.

Of course, whiskey is the number one choice of drink for Hogmanay, toasting the bells with a wee dram is how it should be done in Scotland!

Serve up a Scottish supper to remember with a classic smoked fish soup and the essential haggis, neeps and tatties - all rounded off with a traditional clootie dumpling. Delicious!

"Lang may yer lum reek!" is a common Hogmanay toast, and means "long may your chimney smoke." (May you have enough coal to keep warm this winter!) "A guid New Year to ane an' a' and mony may ye see!" A good New Year to one and all, and many may you see!