Blethering Skite

Yule logs and greenery in Scottish Winter customs

Beyond the Yule breads and celebration Plant lore is the verdant heart of Scottish folk holidays and traditions charring the old wife is a unique Scottish tradition. The Yules are no exception, even though at Yuletide the greenery has all but gone, the ground grasped in winter’s frozen embrace.  If we look beyond this, nature’s gift and sacrifice is found in the burning heart of Yule – the Yule log of ash or birch.

“While Santa keeks doon frae the mantle above,

the Yule log crackles oan this Christmas Nicht,

waurmin’ hearth an’ hame by burnin’ sae bricht.

We coorie thegither, my wife an’ I,

voicin’ oor thouchts aboot the day ganged by.

A’ wheest in the daurk we savour oor love.”

‘When the Yule log Crackles’

– Francis Kerr Young

In Scotland, folk used to sit on the Yule log before it was burnt, and, if it was big enough, when it was on the fire. Each took turns: singing and toasting to a great Yule. Some believe this might represent a way of giving thanks to the tree for its gift of light and heat. Others say it might be a way or propitiating the spirits, like ‘knocking on wood for luck’, or perhaps reminiscent of earlier sacrifices carried out at this time of year.