21 o o TV an nouncer Charl es Nove recalls growing up in G lasgow, on

P e r f e c t y o

u r P P C C h r i s t m as C P P u d di n g r e cip e P P o o n p age

page 50 S

emories M

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392030. ISSN 09 68-7874 DIS CLAIMER The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those

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details Welcome to S

series M

C O TT I S H N

o w o nd e r t h e f

e s t i v e s ea s o n is kn o w n a s

‘ th e d a ft da y s ’ i n S c o ts .

I t ’ s a s t r a ng e t i m e

o f y ea r w h e n

w e s e e m t o p u t

o ur s e l v e s

t h r ou g h a ll k

i n d s o f st r e ss e s a n d s

t ra i n s t o e n su r e t h e

b i g d a y i s p

erfect. Last-minute shopping requires military-style organisation and s t a

m i n a, w h i l e

p i c ki n g t h e

p e r f e c t pr e s en t s fo r e a c h f a m i l

y m e m b er t a k e s a

s k i l l I ha v e y e t t o

a cq u i r e – w h e n

m y w i f e ex c l a im s ‘ y o u

s ho u l d n ’t h av e ’ s h e u

s u a l ly m e

ans it! But it’s all worth it. Finally sitting down next to a roaring fire when the prese n t

s a r e wr a p pe d , th e b i r d

i s p re p a re d , a n d

th e t r e e

i s d e co r a t ed , m u s t b e o n e o f th e m o s t s

a t i s f y i n g m o me n t s o f t he y ea r . Th e h ar d w o r k

i s do n e a n d

t h e c e l e br a t io n s c a n

begin. When you’re not eating, drinking or trying to master the latest video game w i t h t

h e c hi l d r e n ,

p e r h a p s y o u ’l l f i n d

a m om e n t o r t w o t o

r em i n i s ce a b o u t

C hr i s t m as p a s

t, when things were a little simpler. The contents of this seasonal issue are sure to help, esp ecially the wonderful memories sent in by readers (pa

ge 40). And remember, some things never change. The Hogmanay celebrations around S cotland will always catch the world’s attention with their fiery drama and tradition (see page 18 for a taster), when else does half the world’s population join hands to sing a Rabbi e Burns poem at the top of their voices? Maybe it’s not such a daft time of year aft

er all! Contents 5 Then

and Now News and events, he adlines from the past, and interestin

cotland Matt Hill,

Editor 36 Finding you

r roots Your monthly guide to ga thering information on your an

g facts 10 A passion for t

he past We talk to TV’s Neil Oliver ab out the new series of A History of S

cotland 15 A wonder of

its age The fascinating history of Kildrummy

Castle 16 Memories

Mailbox Readers’ letters. Plus, George Forbes’ Writing to Remember

column 18 All the best when it c

omes... We investigate the many supers titions associated with the N

ew Year 21 A taste of S

cotland A great recipe for Christmas

Pudding 22 Back on t

he menu Do you remember learning D omestic Science at

school? 24 This month in Scottish

history Events and news from years

gone by 27 Destinati

on Oban Your guide to the seaside re sort of Oban, known as the gateway to the Isles, including View of th

e Month 34 Reind

eer man How one reindeer herder brou ght the festive animals back to S

cestors 38 The beautif

ul game Kath Gourlay gets to the bo ttom of Kirkwall’s traditional b

a’ game 40 Scotland rem

embered Readers share their memo ries of Christmas day, train journeys to school and singing in the dark. Plus, Wartime Heroes and Fearless

Females 44 Capital

circus The circus performers wh o wowed Edinburgh crowds during th

e 1800s 46 Sights and sounds of S

cotland CD and book reviews. Plus, the m usic of yesteryear in Hit

Parade 48 Puzzl

es WIN! Test your knowledge to win a S cottish Quest board game or a diction

ary set 49 Fun

at one! Recalling The One O’Clock Gang,

one of Scotland’s first television pro

grammes 50 My S

cotland Radio DJ and TV announcer Charles Nove recalls growing up in

Glasgow 51 We

e Harry Harry discovers the highs and lows of the festive season in our fictional

lisher. Subscribe today... see page 25 for