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Dae ye ken yer Scots Hallaeen?
Hallaeen, wi its strang tradeetions o dookin fir aipples, carvin neeps an guisin, is an ideal time tae practice usin yer Scots. --Treacle Scones Hingin aff a bit o string, scones or pancakes covered in treacle will be nae match for wee anes hungry for a bit o sugar on Hallaeen nicht. Maukit faces guaranteed. --Dookin for aipples Whit cuid be better nor dookin yer face in a pail o freezin-cauld watter, tae try an sink yer teeth intae an aipple? Safties try tae dae it wi thair mooth only, an haud wide o the watter sae thair nebs and chowks dinna get weet. Fearties use a fork atween thair teeth. --Guisin Traipsin roon folk’s hooses covered in face-pent an weirin a guise that yer maw pit thegither, usin bin bags an cheils left lyin in the scullery drawer, is a tradeetion that we keep close tae oor herts. Ye better hae a joke or a wee rhyme ready tae get yer Hallaeen bag, that’ll hae monkey nuts, sweeties an mibby even a siller coin in it. --Bring in the Galoshies! A galoshin play is a play performed in mid-winter, aroon aboot Hogmanay. The phrase, ‘Bring in the Galoshies!’ cam for tae be cryit at the door o ony kin o guisin, an for mony is noo only heard at Hallaeen. --Dae a turn Fir tae get yer Hallaeen poke ye’ll hae tae dae a turn, a poyem, a sang, or yer best joke will be the verra dab! --Hallaeen cakes Naething beats a sponge cake, covered in mallas, joob-joobs and hunners o coloured icin. If yer mooth isna gowpin efter eatin it, ye’ve no done it richt! --Kale pulling Some folk say that if ye pit a stalk o the kail ower the door o yer hoose, the first body tae come ben will either be the body that ye’ll end up mairried tae, or will hae the same first name at least. --Sweethert Nuts This tradeetion is whan a haunfae o sweethert nuts wad be gien the names o aw the single laddies an lassies fae amang the circle o freens, an set oot afore an open fire . Folk say that the twa sets o nuts that sterts poppin, acause o the heat, represents the laddies an lassies that will gae thegither. --Cairve a neep Whither ye cry it a Neepie Lantren, a Tumshie Lamp, or a Baigie, get howkin! Hard gauin but wirth the sweet. Drap a caunle in fir the licht, ye canna baet the rael smell o Hallaeen.
