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The Little Book of Christmas and Hogmanay: Scotland's Festive Traditions
From Celtic druids and Viking Yule to the outright banning of Christmas for 400 years, The Broons, first footing and the Loony Dook, this is a joyous miscellany that showcases the creative, elaborate and sometimes downright bizarre aspects of Scottish Christmas and New Year, from the ancient past to the more recent present. It includes different local traditions, from those practised in the Borders all the way to the islands of Orkney and Shetland, as well as the nationwide pastimes enjoyed by everyone.
The book is packed with tradition, lore and legend, as well as poems, stories, carols, recipes, history, jokes and fun facts Illustrated throughout with line drawings and black and white photographs.
Best enjoyed in front of an open fire with a glass of whisky and a black bun.
The book is packed with tradition, lore and legend, as well as poems, stories, carols, recipes, history, jokes and fun facts Illustrated throughout with line drawings and black and white photographs.
Best enjoyed in front of an open fire with a glass of whisky and a black bun.
144 pages, Hardcover
Published December 2, 2025
3 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 21, 2025
This is a lovely little book to dip in and out of. It contains historical facts, poetry and songs, recipes, and stories from legend. It's perfect to get you in the Christmas spirit.
November 12, 2025
The Little Book of Christmas and Hogmanay is a brilliant wee book that would be a perfect gift for the Scot in your life whether at home or abroad. It’s a book you might want to think about giving as an Advent present actually so it can be enjoyed in the lead up to the big days. Hogmanay, in case you aren’t familiar with that word, is what we call New Year’s Eve in Scotland.
I must comment on the physical attributes of the book. It’s a small book with sturdy hardback covers and such pretty illustrations on the front enchanced by gold foiling. There are many photographs and illustrations throughout the book adding to a feel of quality.
The book is packed with loads of fascinating pieces about Scottish traditions covering every area of Scotland. You’ll find out about the earliest traditions of Yule brought to Scotland by the Vikings. There’s a bit about Christmas being banned by the Presbyterian Church in the 17th century which led to New Year being the bigger celebration – probably why we still get an extra bank/public holiday in January! I remember my dad telling me that he worked on Christmas Day when he was a young apprentice, probably in the early 1960s. Christmas Day didn’t become an official bank holiday until 1971.
There’s lots about the traditional food and drink associated with Scottish festive celebrations. You may have heard of cock-a-leekie soup, stovies or black bun but did you know that the traditional meal on New Year’s Day is steak pie? And do you know what makes Tipsy Laird Trifle different in Scotland? You’ll find out about all these things and more as well as recipes for some of them. I must just mention our ‘other national drink’ which is of course Irn Bru. There have been two much loved Irn Bru adverts inspired by The Snowman and they make me laugh every time.
To touch on just another few subjects covered in the book, you’ll find out when the first Christmas card selfie was produced which I guarantee will be much earlier than you think, why Norway donates a huge Christmas tree to Edinburgh each year and how the Oor Wullie and Broons annuals have become a much loved traditional Christmas gift. You’ll also learn about first footing, loony dooking, Up Helly Aa, Handsel Monday, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay fireworks and the Comrie Flambuax. There are even a few traditional short stories.
I loved reading this wee book and, even as a born and bred Scot, learned some things about traditions and history which I didn’t know. I would say it’s the perfect book to dip in and out of over the festive season and it would be a lovely book to give or receive this year.
I must comment on the physical attributes of the book. It’s a small book with sturdy hardback covers and such pretty illustrations on the front enchanced by gold foiling. There are many photographs and illustrations throughout the book adding to a feel of quality.
The book is packed with loads of fascinating pieces about Scottish traditions covering every area of Scotland. You’ll find out about the earliest traditions of Yule brought to Scotland by the Vikings. There’s a bit about Christmas being banned by the Presbyterian Church in the 17th century which led to New Year being the bigger celebration – probably why we still get an extra bank/public holiday in January! I remember my dad telling me that he worked on Christmas Day when he was a young apprentice, probably in the early 1960s. Christmas Day didn’t become an official bank holiday until 1971.
There’s lots about the traditional food and drink associated with Scottish festive celebrations. You may have heard of cock-a-leekie soup, stovies or black bun but did you know that the traditional meal on New Year’s Day is steak pie? And do you know what makes Tipsy Laird Trifle different in Scotland? You’ll find out about all these things and more as well as recipes for some of them. I must just mention our ‘other national drink’ which is of course Irn Bru. There have been two much loved Irn Bru adverts inspired by The Snowman and they make me laugh every time.
To touch on just another few subjects covered in the book, you’ll find out when the first Christmas card selfie was produced which I guarantee will be much earlier than you think, why Norway donates a huge Christmas tree to Edinburgh each year and how the Oor Wullie and Broons annuals have become a much loved traditional Christmas gift. You’ll also learn about first footing, loony dooking, Up Helly Aa, Handsel Monday, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay fireworks and the Comrie Flambuax. There are even a few traditional short stories.
I loved reading this wee book and, even as a born and bred Scot, learned some things about traditions and history which I didn’t know. I would say it’s the perfect book to dip in and out of over the festive season and it would be a lovely book to give or receive this year.
December 17, 2025
I was gifted this from Birlinn in exchange for a honest review.
This was a wonderfully seasonal read. Quick and informative - there are sections about various regional and national Christmas and Hogmanay traditions throughout Scotland. The articles are interspersed with stories, recipes and songs and I found it a delightful read! I certainly learnt a few things about the origins of some of our more random seasonal traditions. A lovely Festive read and would make a great stocking filler.
This was a wonderfully seasonal read. Quick and informative - there are sections about various regional and national Christmas and Hogmanay traditions throughout Scotland. The articles are interspersed with stories, recipes and songs and I found it a delightful read! I certainly learnt a few things about the origins of some of our more random seasonal traditions. A lovely Festive read and would make a great stocking filler.
December 28, 2025
Loved reading this wee book in the run up to Christmas. I enjoyed the layout of the book- short sections with different traditions, stories, poems and recipes etc. which made it easy to dip in and out. This would be a lovely Christmas gift for a Scottish friend or to give someone interested in Scotland.
January 2, 2026
Having Scottish roots, I endeavour every year to add some Scot Traditions to my festivities. 5* stars all the way for me. I love the eclectic mix of content, especially the recipes, and have learned so much more about my heritage, will reread in November to incorporate a few more traditions to our 2026 Christmas.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews