Bonnie Scottish Traditions

Michelle back for another Friday and today is a special one... It’s Burns Night! The night of haggis, neeps (turnip) and tatties (mashed potato) , whiskey and bagpipes, and one of my most favourite of all. So in honour of Rabbie Burns, let’s have a run-down of some Scottish wedding traditions!

A Sixpence in the Bride's Shoe
A sixpence coin may be placed in the bride's shoe to help bring her good luck. Similarly, in the Scottish Borders, a sprig of heather is hidden within the Bride's bouquet. This is still very common today in Scottish weddings.

The Wedding Scramble
As the bride steps into the car, it is a tradition for the father to throw a handful of coins for the children to collect. This is called a scramble and is believed to bring financial luck. This also takes place in weddings in Ayrshire but is known there as a 'warsel'. We had this at my mum’s wedding many years ago and the kids went crazy for it, with many great pics to be had.

The Lang Reel
The Lang Reel is a traditional dance which happens in the many of the fishing communities in the North-East of Scotland. This dance sees the villagers and the wedding party begin dancing from the harbour, continuing through the village and each couple leave the reel when they pass their home. This continues right up until the only couple left are the bride and groom, who then have the last dance.

Blackenings
Now this is a messy one! 'Blackenings' are a ritual still performed with great gusto - unless you are the unlucky groom-to-be! He is captured by his friends and is stripped to the waist before bound and 'blackened' by using substances such as feathers, treacle, soot and flour! He is then paraded through the village whilst his friends make as much noise as possible to make the experience as embarrassing as possible for the unlucky groom. In some parts of Scotland, this can happen to the bride too! I have yet to see this happen, but rest assured, I’ll keep my tradition alive at my baby brother’s upcoming wedding!

Traditional Grand March at the Wedding Reception
This spectacular procedure is often the first dance to take place at a wedding. It begins with the bride and groom marching to the sound of bagpipes or a live band. As they march, the maid of honour (or chief bridesmaid) and best man join in, followed by both sets of parents and finally by all willing guests! This is a great way of getting everyone up on the dance floor, and if you are worried about being watched the first dance, this breaks up the view of you!

Feet Washing
The custom of feet-washing still happens throughout Scotland and it is hoped that it will guarantee good fortune for the marriage. The bride sits on a stool while an older, married woman washes and dries her feet. In Fife (where I am from) however, only a few, heartened bridegrooms go through the traditional procedure, which involves sitting in a tub of water while his legs are smeared with grease, ash and soot. Yes I know, grooms take a bit of a beating on their big day...

Creeling
In the South of Scotland, a married couple are 'creeled' as they leave the church. Two people at either side of the door hold a fishing basket which is tied with a ribbon across the door. The newlyweds then cut the ties and the basket falls to the ground. It is hoped that this tradition will bring health and prosperity to the couple.

The Bride's Cog
Wedding cogs are vessels from which ale is consumed at Orcadian (folk from Orkney) weddings. These cogs were definitely the most essential of all the elements that made up an old island wedding whilst still being a prominent feature today. The exact mixture which now goes into the cog varies with every wedding, as each family tends to have its own views on the correct recipe. Despite the family variations, the base ingredients of this potent alcoholic mixture are usually hot ale, gin, brandy and whisky mixed with sugar and pepper. The cog is firstly drank by the bride before being passed around the hall, constantly being replenished so that nobody goes dry!

A 'Second Night'
A 'second night' is normally held the night following a wedding - where people can enjoy another night of drinking and dancing! Now that’s a tradition I like the sound of!

And for those who love a bit of scots, a little Robert Burns to sign off the piece:

O my Luve's like a red, red rose,

That's newly sprung in June:

O my Luve's like the melodie,

That's sweetly play'd in tune.

As fair art thou, my bonie lass,

So deep in luve am I;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

Till a' the seas gang dry.

Till a' the seas gang dry, my dear,

And the rocks melt wi' the sun;

And I will luve thee still, my dear,

While the sands o' life shall run.

And fare-thee-weel, my only Luve !

And fare-thee-weel, a while!

And I will come again, my Luve,

Tho' 'twere ten thousand mile!