VisitScotland: Many of the most commonly held superstitions originate from Scotland

It is believed that if you rub the nose of the Greyfriar’s Bobby statue in Edinburgh (pictured) it will bring good luck!

EDINBURGH, Scotland, 2016-Dec-23 — /Travel PR News/ — Very Superstitious….

Friday the 13th and how Scotland ‘invented’ the superstition

Friday the 13th of January might be a day when people are overly aware of black cats, groups of magpies and not walking under ladders; but many might not realise that Scotland is the home of many superstitions, myths and legends.

In fact many of the most commonly held superstitions originate from the home of the Loch Ness Monster….

Examples of superstitions that have originated in Scotland include:

  • In the north of Scotland, some farmers believe that the birth of a black-faced sheep brings bad luck for all the flock – this is where the expression ‘black sheep of the family’ originates. If a sheep has twins, both born with black faces, this signals a poor lambing season ahead.
  • It’s considered lucky to place silver in a new born baby’s hand as it will bring great wealth to them in later life.
  • Also, a person should touch iron if they see or even hear evil.
  • A bride should place a silver coin in her shoe or carry a sprig of heather for good luck.
  • In Scotland, a baby born on the first day of the month is considered to be lucky. Also, what day a baby is born on has an impact on its future. The famous ‘Monday’s child is fair of face…’ poem originates from Scotland.
  • First Footing on Hogmanay – In the New Year, Scottish people “first-foot” one another, which means to be the first into somebody else’s home. The first-footer must bring a gift into the home to bring good fortune for the coming year. This most likely developed because of the fair-haired Vikings invasion of Scotland in the 8thcentury.
  • Today, the tooth fairy that leaves money under a pillows in exchange for teeth. This highly resembles an old Scottish superstition about lost teeth that is supposed to bring a child good luck and strong teeth.
  • It has been said that Scotland in fact invented the tradition of Halloween and the superstitions and traditions around it. The tradition of ‘dookin’ for apples, where children (and sometimes adults) attempt to retrieve apples from a water-filled basin using only their mouths is thought to be a reference back to the days of the druids. In ancient druid lore, apples were said to be a very sacred fruit.
  • Scottish seafarers too often believe that salmon are bringers of bad luck and are known as the ‘reid fish’. Salmon was at one time known as a sacred creature.

Places to explore Scottish superstition, myths & legends…

  • Edinburgh – visit Greyfriar’s Kirk and the nearby statue of Greyfriar’s Bobby and rub his nose for good luck (the paint on his nose has actually started to wear off due to the number of ‘rubs’!)
  • Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire – and chat to a local fisherman about his or her beliefs and superstitions.
  • Rosslyn Chapel, Midlothian – believed to be final resting place of the Holy Grail.
  • See in ‘first footing’ in the New Year after the Comrie Flambeaux fire festival in Perthshire; a spectacular events that kick off the new year with a serious and uniquely Scottish bang.
  • Find a lucky sprig of heather across Scotland – heather blooms twice a year in early summer and early autumn. For a classic route across heathery mountain ground, travel from near Ballater in Deeside along the A939 to Tomintoul and Grantown-on-Spey.
  • Check out the horseshoes (considered lucky) at the Famous Blacksmith’s Shop in Gretna Green, Dumfries and Galloway; now a wedding venue and visitor attraction. There are horseshoes set in an archway at the entrance to the exhibition that is a popular spot for pictures.
  • Get in the spirit of Halloween superstitions with a visit to one of the many rumoured ‘haunted’ spots in Scotland; including the Drover’s Inn pub in Glasgow or Culzean Castle in Ayrshire.
  • It goes without saying that Loch Ness is reputed to be the home of Nessie, the Loch Ness Monster. Around one million people visit Loch Ness each year, generating around £25 million for the local economy.

For more information on myths, legends, ghosts and superstitions check out the VisitScotland Myths and Legends e-book at www.visitscotland.com/hha2017

Notes to editors

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SOURCE: VisitScotland

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Erin Hickey

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Erin.Hickey@visitscotland.com
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