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Beltane is said to refer to the Celtic sun god, Belenus, and ancient Celts would light two bonfires on this day (May 1) as it was said to increase their fertility and encourage their crops to grow. It was said this date was chosen as it marks the midway point between the Vernal (Spring) equinox and summer solstice. Many other traditions on May 1 have been observed in Scotland for centuries, such as young girls who would rise early that day to wash their faces in the May dew as it was said to offer them good luck.Beltane is said to refer to the Celtic sun god, Belenus, and ancient Celts would light two bonfires on this day (May 1) as it was said to increase their fertility and encourage their crops to grow. It was said this date was chosen as it marks the midway point between the Vernal (Spring) equinox and summer solstice. Many other traditions on May 1 have been observed in Scotland for centuries, such as young girls who would rise early that day to wash their faces in the May dew as it was said to offer them good luck.
Beltane is said to refer to the Celtic sun god, Belenus, and ancient Celts would light two bonfires on this day (May 1) as it was said to increase their fertility and encourage their crops to grow. It was said this date was chosen as it marks the midway point between the Vernal (Spring) equinox and summer solstice. Many other traditions on May 1 have been observed in Scotland for centuries, such as young girls who would rise early that day to wash their faces in the May dew as it was said to offer them good luck.

9 ancient traditions and Celtic customs of Scottish Spring starting with Beltane’s Day

Our ancestors celebrated the Spring equinox because it marked the time when night and day stood equal, bringing new life and light after the harsh Winter.
Thomas Mackay
By Thomas Mackay
Published 20th Feb 2023, 12:49 BST
Updated 14th Mar 2023, 13:15 BST

Known as ‘Alban Eiler’ (associated with ‘Alba’ for Scotland in Gaelic), the spring equinox or ‘Light of the Earth’ takes place on March 20 and historically it marked a day of rare balance that was a key date for nature and magic for ancient Druids.

This is likely why many superstitions and traditions in Scotland are linked to Spring with some seasonal customs said to predict the health of families, livestock and crops for the year to come. Just as our ancestors celebrated Halloween or the curious history of Christmas in Scotland, during Spring many rituals were carried out for fortune telling or warding off evil spirits.

Here are 9 ancient traditions of Spring in Scotland, some ancient and long-forgotten and others still practised today.

Here are 9 ancient traditions of Spring in Scotland, some ancient and long-forgotten and others still practised today.

In the Western Isles, locals would make a large portion of porridge with butter and other rich ingredients, they would then tip this into the sea with the idea that it would draw out valuable seaweed ashore. The event was held in late spring or the Thursday before Easter (when it was known as ‘Shore Thursday’ or ‘Maundy Thursday’) and it was said the ritual was most effective if done on a stormy night. John Gregorson Campbell in The Gaelic Otherworld wrote: “The porridge was poured into the sea on every headland where wrack used to come. Next day the harbours were full. The meaning of the ceremony seems to have been that by sending the fruit of the land into the sea, the fruit of the sea would come to land.” It’s unsurprising that Scots have such customs as it is said natives have been eating porridge here for 5,500 years according to data that traced the dish back to Stone Age settlers in the Outer Hebrides.

9. Big Porridge Day

In the Western Isles, locals would make a large portion of porridge with butter and other rich ingredients, they would then tip this into the sea with the idea that it would draw out valuable seaweed ashore. The event was held in late spring or the Thursday before Easter (when it was known as ‘Shore Thursday’ or ‘Maundy Thursday’) and it was said the ritual was most effective if done on a stormy night. John Gregorson Campbell in The Gaelic Otherworld wrote: “The porridge was poured into the sea on every headland where wrack used to come. Next day the harbours were full. The meaning of the ceremony seems to have been that by sending the fruit of the land into the sea, the fruit of the sea would come to land.” It’s unsurprising that Scots have such customs as it is said natives have been eating porridge here for 5,500 years according to data that traced the dish back to Stone Age settlers in the Outer Hebrides. Photo: Submitted

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