Scottish Traditions

[ctbuchanan]

I agree with everything Campbell has posted. We are first generation US (my Mum was born in Scotland, my Da in Yorkshire) so we have some strong traditions particular to Scotland. But your family is more removed so I would 'create' traditions more in line with modern U.S. living.

Pick a highland games you can get to each year and make a special event of it. If you can pick up some tartan so much the better, but even a t-shirt of your clan for the kids will make them feel a part of it.

St. Andrews in November and Robbie Burns days are also a good way to mark your heritage. On major holidays you may have some conflict but not necessarily. My wife is 100% Polish so Christmas Eve is Polish but Christmas Day we are all about the Tartan and we all wear it. Easter is a very big day in Poland so.... Polish. But we march in the Tartan Day Parade in New York City every year. You get the idea.

Then of course read them some history - get children's books when they are young about the Clan's, Robert the Bruce etc. I can provide you with some titles if you like. As they get older maybe Sir Walter Scott. Mine loved it as much as the Harry Potter books.

I like your approach though, it is important to keep them in touch with their roots.

Dave B.

[ctbuchanan]

About Christmas - my Mum's family was Church of Scotland and the Scots were notorious for not over celebrating. Oatcakes are a tradition though. Because my Dad was a Yorkshireman we did more "English" traditions for Christmas. Wassail, Christmas Pudding, Roast Beef with Yorkshire Pudding etc. but we wore the great Buchanan Tartan - perfect for Christmas.

The Scots are BIG on Hogmanay or New Years - music, parties, fireworks, concerts etc. So you can do a big New Years Eve thing.

St. Andrews is the quiet 'holiday', going to church of course and be sure to fly the Saltire Cross of St. Andrews.
Robbie Burns is usually about a nice formal dinner and haggis! :-D which the kids will LOVE of course!

[AFS1970]

I agree with finding a Highland Games and going to it annually. Just about the only notable Scottish related tradition I grew up with was going to the Round Hill Games in Stamford (After they moved from Round Hill but before they moved to Norwalk). As I got older and got a job that included working on holidays and weekends, I missed a few and have not been there for years. Those games still hold fond childhood memories for me.

As for what to do to celebrate different days. I would think that in the case of days about people (Saint Andrew and Robert Burns) teaching a bit about who the people were and what made them notable should be a part of the celebration. Be forewarned that on church calendars, some days often fall together and Saint Andrew's Day is rarely celebrated as such. The last Sunday in November is often the First Sunday in Advent which is more important in the life of the church. However, there are numerous Scottish themed church services offered, many of which seem to not have much to do with any particular day. I know there is one in October in my city and one in may in the next town over. In New York City, there is one in April that coincides with the day of the Parade. So there are chances to combine church with Scottish culture, you just have to find them if you so desire.

Also one need not be wealthy to join the Saint Andrew's Society. I was a member of the one in CT for a number of years and while I am not poor, I am certainly not wealthy. I enjoyed my time there, but for various reasons let my membership lapse.