Item # 11341
Scotland is at the northern tip of the British Isles. This small country is only 274 miles long, with a jagged coastline, narrow deep inlets, glens and islands abounding. Its beautiful farmlands and rolling countryside were once the scene of bitter bloodshed, first with the Romans and then the English. Although the Scots don't like to be associated with anything English, nowadays the similarities far outweigh the differences. Many of the Scottish Christmas traditions come via their southern neighbors.The Reformation of the 16th and 17th centuries changed Christmas customs for the Scots. The Presbyterian Church of Scotland banned Christmas celebrations as it was seen to be papist in origin. As a result, until recently, Christmas celebrations were very low-key and Christmas was not a public holiday until 1970. Known as Nollaig Baeg, or Little Christmas, the Birth of Christ was celebrated in much solemnity. However, New Years Eve, or Hogmanay, was the time for great festivities and merry-making.
Today, Scots celebrate Christmas openly, with worship, music, gifts and families joining together for good food, good company and much fun. The Scottish Santa is dressed in Tartan plaid and wears a flowing velvet cloak to ward off the Highland winds and snow. In olden days, the Highland groups were divided into clans and wore plaid cloth known as tartan. These rugged individualistic clansmen revolted against English authority and were eventually banned from wearing Highland dress and playing bagpipe music. This ban lasted 100 years and was only lifted in 1782. Today many men wear tartan plaid for festivals and special occasions.
The Scottish Santa carries a bagpipe and a West Highland White Terrier. His pocket is filled with wrapped gifts and Scottish shortbread, which is an ancient cake that was baked in honor of the sun. In his Tartan sack, Santa carries toys that any wee lad or lass would love: a doll dressed in tartan plaid, drum and horn for making Christmas noises, a wooly sheep toy and a Scottish cottage. No Christmas or New Years would be complete without readings from Scotland's greatest poet, Robert Burns, author of "Auld Lang Syne," which means "long, long, ago." From long ago, through the ages, until the present, the Scottish Santa wishes all a very Merry Christmas!
Scottish Santa Pipka Santas Reflections Of Christmas Item # 11341
Scotland is at the northern tip of the British Isles. This small country is only 274 miles long, with a jagged coastline, narrow deep inlets, glens and islands abounding. Its beautif
Price: $59.97
