A Scottish Christmas Tale from 1251 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-mI9VTbQ6HeA.html Upcoming live shows www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx Buy me coffee at www.buymeacoffee.com/ScottishBruce
Love how it’s 15 minutes of “Christmas was always a normal working day in Scotland!” followed immediately by “now I’m gonna take a couple weeks off cause it’s Christmas!” 😅
I’m originally from Northumberland and my family were coal miners I remember them saying that the Scottish and Geordie Miners would arrange Christmas and New Year between themselves so the Scots worked Christmas but go extra days off at New Year -this was probably just after WW2
My uncles who were miners, used to tell me there were more miners’ Mothers and grannies “died on Christmas Day” than any other day in the year… my Dad, not a miner himself, used to respond with the question “how many mothers did each miner have, then?” Apparently the death of a close member of the family meant they could have the day off … Possible convenient amnesia on the managerial side?
I can remember my dad working on Christmas day. While we exchanged presents and had a big dinner on Christmas day, Hogmanay and New Years Day were much bigger events.
My parents are from Glasgow and I grew up with the best of both. Christmas was celebrated in the traditional way but we celebrated Hogmanay and New Years just as much. Steak pie, shortbread and clootie dumpling, followed by running up and down the street banging pot lids with wooden spoons at midnight!
Loved the fact that you state Christmas became a public holiday in 1958. I remember growing up my much older brothers complaining that they were forced to take Christmas Day off. And Wikipedia won’t let me change the date from the 1800’s!!!!!!!!!
My family migrated from the north of Scotland to the south of England on Christmas day 1960 without a second thought but according to my mother the blank amazement of the locals when we arrived! They rapidly adopted the English style of celebrting Christmas no doubt enthusiasticly propelled in that direction by having 2 youngsters in my sister and me.
Love your channel Bruce and as a Scot, I’ve learned so much from you about my own country. Love the humour and detail you go into. Love that you are bringing a show to (hopefully) Glasgow. Can’t wait to see you live
As an Englishwoman with Scots ancestry - as well as living in Geordieland - I always got the best of two traditions. Even without Scottish ancestry, Geordies will co-opt anyone's plan for a party! ;) Christmas was for the children, new year for the adults. We always had another 'Christmas dinner' on New Year's Day (Much later to help get over the hangover). Everyone took January the 2nd as a holiday, too, if they could get it - just to be on the safe side. My first experience of Hogmanay in The Borders left me so ill that even on the 3rd of January I was a bit fragile.
Scot here(with a big drop of Irish) who lives in Geordieland too, on the coast. Never done Turkey for Xmas ever. Beef, leg of lamb, haunch of venison and goose. Beautiful Scots stuff, with a Cullen skink starter soup.
A friend was reading his grandfathers diary ( late 1800s) and he commented that the entries for Dec. 25th just listed the work he'd done that day like any other day. This is a Scottish farm family in Ontario Canada. So next time I see him I'm going to say "let me tell you a story". Thanks Bruce.
Live shows in Canada in 2024. Shows in Halifax, Annapolis, New Glasgow, Moncton, Montreal, Perth , Ottawa, Toronto, Fergus, Seaforth, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Most of the details are here. www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx
When my Mum came North after marrying my Dad pre- '58 she was surprised at first there was no Christmas holiday but just as everyone else from that generation just accepted it and got on with life!
That’s true , it was just another work day when not a Sunday , some employers started giving half day , then gradually the whole day , but now it’s just a bit silly with some being off for a fortnight , merry xmas .
Brilliant, thanks Bruce. We are the same age. I remember my scottish gran celebrated hogmanay and new years day more than Christmas (with presents and a big meal on 1st). Christmas was celebrated more by my parents who had grown up a bit in England. Its sad and interesting to see how hogmanay has been whittled down over the years. For me, i like both celebrations! Bring on 12 days of Yule celebrations!
At this time of year people need a celebration and a rest. I am a Christian but regard myself as a Quaker! I love my pagan heritage and it’s rich spirituality and symbolism. My Presbyterian Grandma would be rolling in her grave to see me attend Catholic Church tonight to enjoy all the ritual and pageantry. I see the priest holding mass as a wizard performing magic! I firmly believe we can all learn much from each other! So merry Christmas peace and love to all!
I can hardly say how staggeringly disrespectful and contemptuous this is towards the most sacred act of Catholic worship. For your own spiritual health and salvation, I urge you to go somewhere else for your yuletide entertainment, because God is not mocked.
@@a.t.c.3862 nah, God is all about love. I know many of the congregation and I am involved in the musical side of things. I get a blessing! My conception of God is all about love. I don’t think the creative consciousness that is God would feel “mocked’. There was a lot of love! Thanks for the advice Peace be with you! Hari Krishna and Allahu Akbar!
That was really interesting, always knew new year was a really big thing in Scotland, but never knew why. A life ling mystery about mince pies also solved. Athbhliain faoi mhaise daoibh Bruce
Meery Christmas and all the best for 2023 Bruce. I have now removed my tree (s) and told the kids to get to...... Many tha ks for saving me a fortune. 😂
I’m old enough to remember my father still going to the shipyards on Christmas Day. I think it was only about 1963 that we started celebrating Christmas. I remember that year because of the hard winter and all the snow, chapped knees and ice on the inside of the bedroom window
Greetings from America! Merry Christmas Bruce! Thank you for expanding my knowledge of Scottish history these last few years. It has served me well as an American brand ambassador for several Single Malt distilleries. Best regards.
Fascinating! Thank you Bruce! I am second generation Canadian of Scottish grandparents. I was common for their Scottish friends to work on Christmas day in Canada for 24/7 public services like transit, hospitals and police/fire because it did not occur to them to not work on Christmas. I never understood why my grandmother was so excited by New Years. My mom remembers her tall, dark father being in demand as 'first footer' on New Years Day.
Live shows in Canada in 2024. Shows in Halifax, Annapolis, New Glasgow, Moncton, Montreal, Perth , Ottawa, Toronto, Fergus, Seaforth, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Most of the details are here. www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx
I found your channel a couple of days ago and there were a few instances of me fake-yelling at my Scottish husband “the Scottish/your Clan did WHAT????” 😂 This one being no different- all while making a traditional Christmas Eve dinner from my country. Thanks for your great work, there are a lot of things they don’t tell in the history books. Enjoy your time off 🎉
Merry Christmas Bruce! As an American with family in Northern Scotland I always learn something new and interesting from you / with humor when possible !! All the best🏴🎄
Being from a large family of a Scottish coal miners from coal mining families themselves and predominantly Catholic. Christmas was always celebrated as much as possible even though they had to work, with the main get togethers taking place during the New Years holiday. Ah good times. Keep up the good work Bruce, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours.
Of course, the crew of the Enterprise were Presbyterians, under the guidance of Capt. Kirk. Thanks for another great video with an expanded cast. 👍 Happy Christmas, and a Merry Hogmanay to one and all.
Merry Christmas Bruce and family from Adelaide, South Australia. I emigrated from Scotland aged 10. I love Scottish history and you bring our history to life with thoroughly researched topics and gentle humour. You're a wonderful teacher. I will definitely catch you on tour next year. Thanks for another terrific video, Sláinte!
Aye and may i add two things...the poem Love by Emmet Fox is one of the most beautiful Christmas Presents to offer anyone - everyone and secondly may we remember the late and great Ian Hamilton Q.C and his fellow Bravehearts for their Christmas Present to us all - breaking and returning the Stone of Destiny - a necessary break with the stranglehold of the past, a symbolic pointer to the present and future. Bless them. Lets raise a wee glass to necessary Scottish Independence - may She rise free as the PhoeniX. Thanks Bruce - keep up the great work X
My Father was Scottish from Edinburgh. Sunday for my Presbyterian family was church, a walk about town, and any reading was the Bible or sermons.They did not celebrate Christmas, but did New Year. They emmigrated to Canada in the 1920s where customs were different and people from other places. My Grandfather was a baker and adapted to a new Christmas. Christmas was a very busy time for the bakery with cookies and cakes. I have a photo of my father surrounded by Christmas puddings in cloth; at least 50 When I was growing up we had the typical 1950s Christmas even when my Scottish Grandma was there. One Christmas Eve my parents were up with the baby, and Grandma got the other kids up thinking it was morning. She really enjoyed Christmas. Our Presbyterian Church celebrated with a children's Christmas party. They did emphasize that it was a religious day, but even Santa came. With Scots migrating around the world, they met many different people and customs; and they changed and joined into the Christmas we celebrate today.
I'm Glaswegian, in my mid forties now and I remember as a child on Sundays it was Sunday School, then the church service, then back across the road (we lived facing our church) to do very little beyond going over the Bible lesson we had learned earlier that day. All of the shops were closed (apart from the small Asian owned corner shop), buses were on a "Sunday service", taxis cost extra, pretty much Sunday was the lord's days so noone was allowed to do anything. I recall being amazed as shops and supermarkets began opening on Sundays, older people were outraged. I'm a descendant of a well known clan, had Covenanters in my ancestry and was brought up Presbyterian.
@@Glesga_lassie I'm in my sixties now and as a child all shops were closed on Sundays except a small confectionery store. Our church wasn't built yet in our town so we went when visiting relatives. The neighbours invited us to there's but we only went for children's event like Bible school and Christmas parties. I remember when my two younger brother's and I were christened. The family Presbyterian Minister came to our home and christened us there. It was about two years later that the church was finished and the Minister opened it up. Our Sunday's were much like yours. At church we had Sunday school after a service, then we went home to a big roast meal. With five kids we got leftovers for a few days. I think it was in the later 1960s that more stores opened on Sundays. Then late hours a couple of days for malls and big stores and more Sunday openings. In the 1980s it turned to late hours all week in most stores. Sunday often closed early. I live in a smaller town now and more stores are closed on Sunday again.
Another great video, I always learn so much that I didn't realize. Thank you. My grandfather came to America in 1923 from Scotland so I must say Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas with out mince pies, we would go to "Cameron's" in Kearny New Jersey about 20mins ride to get them & a steak & sausage pie, every December & while we were in Kearny for the pies we would go right down the street to the Argyle's restaurant for fish & chips. (I'm making my mouth water) it was so good. We usually tried to go on a Friday night because they had a piper that would play there on Friday nights he was a really nice guy, I also used to love the "Scottish gifts shop" they had on the second floor as well. I was always so impressed with the whole experience as kid, I loved hearing their accents, & checking out all the different kilts & tartans & just all the different things. Wow I just went off on a trip down memory lane lol... Sorry about that. I guess I just realized where my love for All things Scottish comes from lol
Merry Christmas to you Bruce and your family. I’m American with Scottish ancestry and enjoy your channel. I’ve learned so much history from you. 🎄🎁🏴💙
When my parentals first married in 61 Christmas was a normal working day for dad, by the time i came in, 64 in had become a holiday, which he embraced fully as a day of rest
Hogmanay used to be all of my family traipsing round each others doors, having parties, it was so exiting as a child in the 80's, in the 90's and early noughties that turned to partying, then parenthood, now on Hogmanay I'm asleep by eleven o'clock. Glasgow used to have amazing street parties not so long ago, and in George square but they've stopped it all. It's such a shame.
@@Glesga_lassie I know how you feel, and what you mean. As a kid also growing up in those times Hogmanay was special, it was magical. The excitement leading up to it, the party's, wither they were big or small, first footin' wi' a wee bit coal. Opening the back door to let the old year out, and opening the front to let the new year in. Decent Hogmanay tv (that seemed to start a lot earlier), and lang may yer lum reek. Aye good times and great memory's. I stay up for the bells now and that's about it, aye your right sic a shame.
Live shows in Canada in 2024. Shows in Halifax, Annapolis, New Glasgow, Moncton, Montreal, Perth , Ottawa, Toronto, Fergus, Seaforth, Calgary, Vancouver and Victoria. Most of the details are here. I tried Hamilton, but couldn't find a venue www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx
Interesting and fun! It's actually related to a discussion I got into at the Townsends channel, which touched on Christmas not being observed in the American colonies, so thank you for explaining more of this background! I'm Czech, so a good deal of this history passes me by entirely. :-)
This is interesting to me, because I've been to Colonial Williamsburg several times for Christmas because it's beautiful and they talk extensively about the lavish Christmas celebrations and days of gift giving. Of course it's mostly when you get to the governor's palace so clearly what's good for the elite isn't for the common man.
@@Tea_and_Crafts I think, from the sound of it, it also may have differed depending on the region and what the exact influences behind the settlements were?
@@beth12svist for sure! We're talking about the capital of a prominent English colony at the center of a massively lucrative plantation community vs a younger settlement closer to the frontier. (Not sure the average background of the Townsend's area)
@@Tea_and_Crafts They draw from all sorts of sources all around the US really, and I don't remember where that particular account was from. But not Williamsburg, I think.
Bruce is my elder brother's name as well. Thank you for your stories and historical records, well spiced with humor and personality. This Alastair in Texas thanks you kindly.
Merry Christmas from Victoria Australia My Mum family Scottish came to Vic in 1951 My Mum said nothing about not having Christmas when she was little. So Thank you
It's almost funny how they tried to punish the revellers by making them sit together like the cool kids at the front. Where they could arrange further shenanigans!
Bruce. The best yet. Loved the supporting cast too. I too am from that part of the Union that had the best of both worlds at the year end. English Christmas with pressies, food and a little drink and no having to work. Then a few days later, New Year when the factory was officially open but there were no buses running so we could not get there. So we had more cause to drink. Enjoy your trip and come back safe..
As a Church of Scotland Presbyterian (St. Columba's in London and St. Andrew's in Brussels), Christmas involves church services -- though we also have presents. New Year's has the possibility of theater and parties.
What's up with these Charles mucking everything up! Thanks for reminding me of the bell stick my grandpa used to bring out to ring. lol thanks for this enlightening video once again Bruce :) love seeing your family 'help' with the holidays.
That was a great story Bruce! Thanks so much for that bit of history about Christmas! Funny how a holiday to bring people together could be so divisive. Merry Christmas from America to you and your kin and a happy New Year!
I traced my maternal side back to Huntly, Aberdeenshire, Scotland (Gordon Clan , Huntley Castle) . First Adam de Gordon, a knight, came over from Normandy, 1066 with William the Conquer. I hope I can learn more from your videos. Thank you ! Huntley's & Mitchell's , North Carolina, USA
Happy Christmas Bruce to you and your family. 🌲 May you and yours have a great Hogmanay. Wonderful video. There's so much more to this controversial history than I imagined.
It is fun here in Australia. A large proportion of the populations ancestry is from Britain, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and many European countries. Despite the fact that it’s summer, temperatures reaching into the 30s and even into the 40s, many people will still have a traditional Christmas dinner with all the trimmings, singing Christmas songs about cold winter nights, dashing through the snow, Santa dressed up in red velvet with fur and so on. Go figure 😂
Funny you saying about signing about dashing through the snow and stuff in Australia. Where the first Christmas took place, if they saw snow they'd be like whit the **** is that?!!! lol. While it can snow it is a very rare occurrence there.
Happy holidays from the US. I just found your channel this morning. I will definitely be watching since I have been trying to learn more about Scotland and my Scottish heritage. Unfortunately, my Scottish nan died before I was born and my mom was raised in Canada, so I never got to hear about all these differences.
Being of an age with Bruce, I can remember being told about Christmas Day being a working day by my grandparents & parents and can remember seeing the changes over the years in the importance of Christmas in Scotland. The other side of the coin is that New Year became more of thing in England starting in the 1970s & 80s and we have now ended up with this week + long holiday throughout the British Isles.
I can still remember the day when I was a young kid and the Catholic Priest came knocking on our door and l answered it the Priest asked if my mum or dad were home , next thing my very proud Protestant Grandfather came running towards the door with his fist in the air screaming " Get away from here , don't you try push your Catholicism on my family " chasing him up the street still screaming at him . I thought old Grandpa was pretty cool then and pissed myself laughing. (My Gran was Catholic lol) The Catholic Priest never came back . Merry Christmas all but l don't give a shi t about religion myself . Now where's my presents Santa 🧑🎄? Better not be a tight arse this year .
Mom always used to say Christmas was hardly a thing back in the 50's when she'd lived there (most worked Christmas day) ...it was more the first fit/Hogmanay.
I'm an American with a lot of Scottish ancestors. I've been interested in Scotland for a long time. Your videos are the best I've seen on the subject of Scottish history. Thank you for sharing your vast knowledge with us. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! :)😊
All the best for the New Year ,now i know you can really celebrate that lol.Proper Scottish party time .I said it before you should be on T.V.Real fantastic way of getting people interested in history, could listen to your accent all day ,brilliant! From someone way down in the south of the U.K.🤣🤣
Bruce, Not sure if you’ve realize though you might have but this puts Queen Elizabeth’s yearly UK wide Christmas messages in a more political light. She’s always struck me as someone who wanted to be a Stuart. Naming her oldest kids after two of ‘em. Being in Scotland FAR more often than her predecessors and the way she chose to die as QEII in London and as Queen of Scots in Royal teeside. Fascinating.
My scottish Father, throughout his 60 or so years living in England always managed to hugely enjoy both Christmas and New Year, the latter always involving a great party. Winter is a dreary time and the more the merrier: think we should also re-instate Twelfth Night (6th Jan) and then after a wee lie down, round off a month of fun and games with Burns Night.
