Six fascinating facts about a Scottish Christmas you may not know

MOST Christmas traditions we know today are based on a rich history, but their reasoning or meaning has often become lost along the way.

From mistletoe to Christmas trees, here are some of the historical traditions which have shaped the way we spend the festive season today.

TWELVE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

BEFORE turtle doves and leaping lords, the Vikings were celebrating 12 days of the Yule festival. Beginning on winter solstice, they would feast and celebrate during the shortest days of the year.

A WELCOMING WREATH

THE tradition of hanging a wreath dates back to the ancient Romans and Greeks, and was used by both Vikings and Pagans. Holly wreaths, were later seen as representing the crown of thorns worn by jesus.

KISSING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

KISSING balls or holy boughs have been popular since the Middle Ages, however both kissing and mistletoe only became part of the tradition later. The decoration originally contained a clay figure of Jesus and was believed to bring blessings to those who past underneath it. In the Georgian period, mistletoe was included and people began kissing under the bough.

WHEN TO DECORATE?

THE Georgians thought it unlucky to bring Christmas decorations into your home before December 24.

O CHRISTMAS TREE THE tradition of bringing in

evergreen trees into our homes in the winter pre-dates Christianity. Their long-lasting greenery was thought to represent immortality and nature’s strength.

BURNING ROWAN

IT used to be customary to burn a Rowan twig during winter celebrations in Scotland. This was thought to dispel any feeling of mistrust between friends.