December 21^st through 22^nd is one of the ancient fire festivals, this also coincides with the Winter Solstice. Alban Arthuan is also known as Yule, derived from the Anglo-Saxon "Yula," or "Wheel of the Year" and marked the celebration of both the shortest day of the year and the re-birth of the sun. The symbol of a wheel was used to mark Yuletide with the idea that the year turns continuous with the spokes marking the seasons and occasions.

The custom of burning the Yule Log, was performed to honour the Great Mother Goddess. The log would be lit on the eve of the solstice, using the remains of the log from the previous year, and would be burned for twelve hours for good luck.

Decorating the Yule tree was also originally a Pagan custom; brightly coloured decorations would be hung on a pine tree, the would be objects which were of significance to the Pagans - the sun, moon, and stars - and also to represent the souls of those who had died in the previous year. The modern practice of giving gifts evolved from the Pagan tradition of hanging gifts on the Yule tree as offerings to the various Pagan Gods and Goddesses.

It could also be said that some traditions surrounding "Father Christmas" could be related to our Celtic and Viking roots – the elves could they be the wood fairies and the reindeer could be interpreted as the "Horned God"? The Viking god Odin, was supposed to come to earth in December. Disguised in a hooded cloak, he would sit around firesides listening to the people, and he would leave a gift of bread or coins for the needy.

Mix of Celtic and Christianity

The Reformation hit Scotland hard, by 1583, Bakers who made the Yulebreads were fined, their punished. In 1638 the General Assembly in Edinburgh tried to abolish Yuletide. Only the High Church and Catholics kept Christmas alive. In England many of the symbols and religious elements were lost and they had to piece together remnants. This is probably why they have taken on so many Celtic traditions

Up until 40 years ago the Scottish working classes were commonly expected to work on Christmas day, but because of the Victorian revival of Christmas in England, many other establishments closed, while in Scotland shops and many offices stayed open.

However, this did not mean the Scots did not celebrate Christmas. Often they would go to Church before work, or at Lunchtime, then in the evening they would have a Christmas Dinner, hand out gifts and Tree. The Scots thought there was a greater need to welcome the New Year. It has only been in the last several decades that the commercial market has pushed Christmas firmly upon Scotland and it is celebrated more in line with the English

Meet Santa & Christmas Exhibitions

19^th November 2000

CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION
19^th November 2000
Broughton Gallery
Broughton, near Biggar
Paintings, gifts made by a variety of artists. Perfect Christmas gifts.
Price: Free
Hours: 10.30 - 18.00
Details: 01899 830234

26^th November 2000

SANTA ARRIVES IN MOFFAT
Moffat Town Hall
Moffat
Santa abseils down the church spire and is piped along by the pipe bans. Also, lighting of the christmas tree
Price: -
Hours: -
Details: 01683 220206

1^st December 2000

SANTA'S FOREST GROTTO
24^th December 2000
Edinburgh Zoo
Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh
Visit the zoo and pop into Santa's Grotto - he has gifts for all children
Price: £6.80 adults & £3.80-£4.80 children
Hours: 10.00 - 16.00
Details: 0131 334 9171

SANTA CRUISES& CHRISTMAS PARTY CRUISES
24^th December 2000
Edinburgh Canal Centre
Ratho
Festive cruises for adults and children alike.
Price: Various
Details: 0131 333 1320

ALL FOR A PRINCE
28^th December 2000
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh
A free show inside Edinburgh Castle - the tales of the Jacobite army in 1745. (Thursday and Fridays only)
Price: Free
Hours: 10.00 - 1600
Details: 0131 668 8830

2^nd December 2000

SANTA AT MILL FARM
24^th December 2000
Almond Valley Heritage Centre
Millfield, Livingston
Open - 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th and 16th until 24th December Santa is in his farm cottage surrounded by farm animals.
Price: £2.20 adults & £1.10 children
Hours: 10.00 - 17.00
Details: 01506 414957

MEET SANTA AND HIS REINDEER
4^th December 2000
Camperdown Country Park
Coupar Angus Road, Dundee
Meet Santa Claus and his reindeer. Face painting and festive fun.
Price: £2 adults & £1.50 children
Hours: 12.00 - 16.30
Details: 01382 432689

CHRISTMAS EXHIBITION
23^rd December 2000
The Pier Arts Centre
Stomness, Orkney
The paintings and crafts on exhibition are on sale - the perfect Christmas gifts.
Hours: 10.30 - 17.00
Details: 01856 850209

DUNFERMLINE STREET FEST
Dunfermline
Medieval Street Market
Details: 01334 472021

SANTA SPECIALS
24^th December 2000
Bo'ness & Kinneil Railway
Bo'ness Station, Union Street, Bo'ness
Enjoy at festive trip on a steam train and see Santa on board, Presents for every child.
Price: £6
Hours: 10.30, 12.00 & 13.30
Details: 01506 825855

3^rd December 2000

SANTA COMES TO PALACERIGG
17^th December 2000
Palacerigg Country Park
Cumbernauld
Meet Santa and his reindeer and good little girls and boys get presents.
Price: Free
Hours: 12.00 - 16.00
Details: 01236 720047

CHRISTMAS AT CULZEAN
Culzean Country Park
Maybole
A Victorian Christmas, witness preparation of a festive feast of bygone times. Also open 10th December
Price: £5 adults
Hours: 10.30 - 16.00
Details: 01655 884506

6^th December 2000

CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING
Stromness
Town centre
Traditional lighting of the tree ceremony.

8^th December 2000

WINTER WONDERLAND
7^th January 2001
Princes Street Gardens
Edinburgh
Winter festival with Britain's largest open air ice rink, entertainment, craft and food stalls - all set in the heart of the Capital.
Details: 0131 226 6550

ALFORD VALLEY RAILWAY SANTA SPECIAL
17^th December 2000
Alford Station
Alford Valley Railway, Alford
Santa's grotto at the station with decorated trains and gifts for children. Open - 8th & 9th and 15th & 16th December
Price: £2.50
Hours: 10.00 - 16.00
Details: 01975 562811

9^th December 2000

SANTA'S SLEIGH RIDES
10^th December 2000
Pollok Country Park
Glasgow
Also open 16th - 17th December. Enjoy a sleigh ride with Santa around the park. Book in advance 0141 649 0875
Price: £1.50
Details: 0141 632 9299

13^th December 2000

CHRISTMAS CRAFT FAIR
14^th December 2000
Mugdock Country Park
Craigallan Road, Milngavie
Christmas craft fair with carols and festive fun.
Price: Free
Hours: 18.30 - 21.00
Details: 0141 956 6100

17^th December 2000

SANTA TRAINS
Aviemore Station
Aviemore
Open 17, 23rd & 24th, 26th and 31st December. Enjoy a steam train ride with festive treats.
Details: 01479 810725

GLEAGLES CHRISTMAS CHARITY SHOW
Gleneagles Equestrian Centre
Auchterarder
Novelty show jumping classes.
Price: Free
Hours: 09.00 - 18.00
Details: 01479 810725

CHRISTMAS ORGAN RECITAL - LA NATIVITE
St Mary's Cathedral
Palmerston Place, Edinburgh
"The Birth of our Lord" performed by the Cathedral's organist.
Price: Free
Hours: 16.30 - 17.30
Details: 0131 667 7776

21^st December 2000

DINNER CONCERT SERIES 2000- CHRISTMAS BY CANDLELIGHT
House for an Art Lover
Bellahouston Park, Glasgow
Evening of music in Mackintosh's Music Room followed by dinner.
Price: £38.50
Hours: 19.30
Details: 0141 353 4770

22^nd December 2000

CHRISTMAS CONCERT
Eday
Celebration of song and dance by local people.
Details: 01856 872856

24^th December 2000

TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION
Aviemore
Various locations
Christmas Eve procession through the streets of Aviemore
Price: Free
Hours: 10.30
Details: 01479 810363

25^th December 2000

THE BA
Town Centre
Kirkwall, Orkney
Mass street football game played over the streets of Kirkwall. Tradition for over 200 years.
Price: Free
Hours: 10.30
Details: 01856 872961

26^th December 2000

BOXING NIGHT CEILIDH
Golden Lion Hotel
King Street, Stirling
Ceilidh fun and frolics with live music
Hours: 20.00
Details: 01259 218521

PANTOMIME

29^th November 2000

TREASURE ISLAND
27^th January 2001
Pavilion Theatre
121 Renfield Street, Glasgow
Traditional Christmas pantomime staring Mr Blobby, Andy Cameron and a host of other stars. Good family fun
Price: £7.50 - £11.50
Hours: 2.00 & 19.30
Details: 0141 332 1846

1^st December 2000

CINDERELLA
6^th January 2001
Royal Lyceum Theatre
Grindaly Street, Edinburgh
Wonderful tale of Cinderella - the prefect pantomime
Price: £8 - £16 adults & £4 - £8 children
Hours: 19.00
Details: 0131 248 4848

HANSEL AND GRETEL
6^th January 2001
Dundee Rep Theatre
Tay Square, Dundee
The tale Hansel and Gretel is this years Christmas show.
Price: £9.50 - £10.50 adults & £6.50 - £8.75 children
Hours: 19.15
Details: 01382 223530

2^nd December 2000

DICK WHITTINGTON
4^th January 2001
Kings Theatre
Leven Street, Edinburgh
This years pantomime fun is Dick Whittington with a host of stars - Dorothy Paul, Allan Stewart, Andy Gray to name but a few
Price: £4-£16
Hours: Box office for details
Details: 0131 529 6000

4^th December 2000

SLEEPING BEAUTY
6^th January 2001
Motherwell Theatre
Civic Centre, Motherwell
Annual Christmas panto full of fun and laughter for all the family
Price: £6.50
Hours: Box office for details
Details: 01698 267515

7^th December 2000

ITS CHRISTMAS WITH THE HAPPY GANG
17^th December 2000
SECC
Finnieston Quay, Glasgow
Christmas with the children’s favourite sing-a-long group - "The Happy Gang"
Price: £6.50 - family tickets £21
Hours: Box office for details
Details: 0141 287 7777

PUSS IN BOOTS
21^st December 2000
Haddo House
Tarves, Ellon
Christmas panto fun with Puss in Boots.
Hours: 13.30 - 17.30
Details: 01651 851770

CINDERELLA
20^th January 2001
King's Theatre
Bath Street, Glasgow
Christmas panto fun with a host of stars
Price: £3 - £15.50
Hours: 19.30
Details: 0141 287 5511

8^th December 2000

PETER PAN
7^th January 2001
Perth Theatre
High Street, Perth
Christmas pantomime fun.
Price: £14
Hours: 19.30
Details: 01738 621031

11^th December 2000

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
23^rd December 2000
Dundee Rep Theatre
Tay Square, Dundee
Christmas show
Price: £3
Hours: 22.00
Details: 01382 223530

19^th December 2000

ALADDIN ON ICE
23^rd December 2000
Prestwick Centrum Arena
Ayr Road, Prestwick
Christmas pantomime performed on ice.
Price: £5.50
Hours: 13.00 & 19.30
Details: 01292 671600

20^th December 2000

SCOTTISH BALLET - ALADDIN
30^th December 2000
Festival Theatre
Nicholson Street, Edinburgh
Scottish Ballet presents - Aladdin. Alternative to the pantomime version.
Price: £6 - £30
Hours: 19.30
Details: 0131 529 6000

Events 2000/2001