If there is one thing you can say for certain about Scotland , it is that its inhabitants know how to throw a good party. Celebration seems to be one of their areas of expertise. As evidence of this, various festivals abound throughout the year in celebration of various holidays, cultures and traditions. The many festivals of Scotland include every thing from music and games to cultural and historical events as well as traditional foods.

Hogmanay Festival

The Hogmanay Festival is celebrated on the 31st of December in celebration of the New Year. It begins early in the evening with the climactic event at midnight. Bells ring out and people kiss one another and sing the old folk song Auld Lang Syne written by beloved Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

The festival can be traced back as far as the Vikings and as such is one of Scotland ’s oldest festivals. It is also widely considered to be a more significant festival than Christmas in Scotland .

The Edinburgh International Festival

Founded in 1947, the Edinburgh International Festival has come to be widely regarded as one of the most significant celebrations of the arts anywhere in the world. You can see the very best artists of all different disciplines (art, dance, music, theatre, etc.) from all over the world.

Highland Games

The Highland Games are traditional sporting events that have been around for so long that nobody seems to remember when they began or why. The Highland Games are a combination of regular sporting events such as the long jump or shot put and more unique games such as throwing the hammer and tossing the caber. There is also the throwing the hammer event, which is exactly what it sounds like. Throwing a hammer over the head and releasing it trying to throw the longest distance. Tossing the caber is throwing a long, heavy pole with the intention of getting it to land as straight as possible.

The Hebridean Celtic Festival

The Hebridean Celtic Festival is a four day celebration that takes place every summer in the Hebrides of Scotland. The festival is relatively young, having only been established in 1995, however it has grown in popularity at an incredibly quick pace. It has quickly grown to be the largest festival in the northern part of Scotland . It is one of the best showcases available for the top Celtic musical talents.

Whuppity Scoorie

Had to include this one just because the name alone sounds like so much fun! Traditionally, Whuppity Scoorie is observed on March in Lanark , Scotland to celebrate the coming of Spring. Children run around the church counterclockwise while swinging paper balls over the heads and making noise. Nobody quite knows where this one came from, but it sounds like fun!

Resources:

http://www.scotland.com/festivals/

http://www.rampantscotland.com/features/festivals.htm