Editorial – The Scottish Banner Says….

December 2024 (Vol. 48, Number 06)

The Banner Says…

Scotland’s Winter Solstice: A celebration of dark and light

No matter what part of the world you find yourself in during December, this month will bring an extra element of light with Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations across the world. If you are however in Scotland, North America or across the Northern Hemisphere you will be experiencing the darkest, and possibly coldest, days of the year with the winter solstice. The word solstice formed by combining the Latin words sol for ‘sun’ and sistere for ‘to stand still’ and marks the shortest day of light of the year when half of the Earth is tilted the farthest away from the sun.

Meanwhile in the Southern Hemisphere the Earth is titled towards the sun, creating the longest day of the year with thoughts of white Christmas reserved for days at a white, and warm, beach.

New beginnings

In Scotland though the winter solstice (taking place this year on Sunday December 21st at 15:03 GMT) brings not even eight hours of daylight and has for thousands of years been a day of celebration and ritual. Our Celtic ancestors were ruled by the seasons and the shortest day of the year was celebrated as a time of renewal with food, fire and friendship. It was thought that when the midwinter sun goes down it marks the death of the previous year and the rebirth and start of a new year and new beginnings (like crops).

One of Scotland’s most famous historic sites during Winter Solstice must be the Maeshowe tomb in Orkney. For up to three weeks pre and post solstice, as the sun sets a ray of light shines through Maeshowe’s low, narrow passageway to reach the back wall of its inner chamber. The light entering this 5,000-year-old burial cairn has given countless people hope that light will again return on what is the darkest day of the year.

Experts today still are amazed how this was so accurately created and today this engineering marvel draws visitors from around the world. Solstice also meant cattle were slaughtered as food could be quite scarce in the depth of winter in Scotland and could see people through until the spring harvest. This period of time was also used to repair tools, clothing and even relationships, as neighbours and family had to work together to get through a harsh and bleak winter season.

In this issue

I remember vividly hearing the news of the explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 in 1988 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. This surreal and tragic event remains one of the world’s worst terrorist attacks, which resulted in all 259 passengers and crew on board the Boeing 747 killed when the flight exploded just 38 minutes after take-off from London, with a further 11 Lockerbie residents on the ground losing their life as the plane exploded into their community. The scar for Lockerbie was profound and the impact from that disaster have rippled on for decades, our writer Neil Drysdale was one of the first journalists on the scene in 1988 and his contribution this month honours those victims and those who have worn the scars of grief for so long.

I dare say a few readers may be having a dram over the festive season to celebrate with family and friends. However, at one time in Scottish history this was not so straightforward as that is today. As the government wanted to tax ‘the water of life’ an illegal Scottish whisky trade developed, and smugglers carved out paths of the Scottish countryside to transport their whisky. This period became entrenched in Scottish folklore and song and in order to preserve historic events and we feature this month the story of the ‘Battle of Corrymuckloch’.

Scotland is known for its amazing Hogmanay celebrations and without doubt Edinburgh is the ‘Home of Hogmanay’. I have only been once on that night and know what an energy the night brings so many as Scotland’s historic capital brings a program of tradition and modern rhythm to one of the world’s best New Year celebrations.

A sacred ritual of hope and promise

The winter solstice, known in Gaelic as grian-stad geamhraidh (sun-stop winter), has been a centuries old celebration of the renewal of season and cycle of life. Today the day is marked for most as a celebration the days will soon get longer, but for our ancestors it was a sacred ritual of hope and promise. Something even today we can all draw from.

Several winter solstice customs have evolved to become Christmas traditions the world over such as decorating a tree, using mistletoe, gift giving, the use of light (fire) to create a festive flare and most importantly celebrating with those close to you.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and Hogmanay season filled with rays of light no matter where, or how, you are celebrating.

Do you follow any solstice or Scottish Christmas or Hogmanay traditions? Do you have you any comments from the content in this month’s edition? Share your story with us by email, post, social media or at: www.scottishbanner.com/contact-us

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