Author: WeeBox Clan

Only one nation can celebrate New Year, or Hogmanay with such passion – the Scots! Hogmanay celebrations are legendary across the globe and WeeBox has everything you need to ‘first foot’ like a real Scot …… wherever you are in the world!   

So, what is ‘first footing’? Superstition dating back to Viking days has it, that whoever comes through yer door first on Hogmanay can bring good or bad luck.  A tall, dark haired man is very good luck .. but a big, blonde Viking stranger arriving on yer doorstep spelled trouble! ‘First footing’ is still common in Scotland, so have a wee read below to see how its done!

WeeBox wishes you and yer kin a Happy Hogmanay and “lang may yer lum reek!”

What’s in your WeeBox?

Imagine cookin’ up yer winter feasts in this unashamedly, tartan kilt apron! Braw fun, this luxury apron is perfect for your Scottish Winter Festivals and celebrating Hogmanay.

‘First footing’, or visiting after midnight, is still common in Scotland.  So set off on Hogmanay and bring your host the traditional Scottish gifts of a bag o’coal (to warm your host’s fire) and Dalgetty Scotch Black Bun (to toast good food all year).

The Hogmanay bells have struck midnight, so join in the legendary Scottish sing-a-long of ‘Auld Lang Syne’.  

Auld Lang Syne is a song which thrilled the soul of Robert Burns in the 1780s, and today has become an anthem sung the world over at New Year, evoking a sense of belonging and fellowship, tinged with nostalgia. In 1788 the Robert Burns sent the poem ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to the Scots Musical Museum, indicating that it was an ancient song but that he’d been the first to record it on paper. The phrase ‘auld lang syne’ roughly translates as ‘for old times’ sake’, and the song is all about preserving old friendships and looking back over the events of the year.  Enjoy yer exclusively designed picture by Brave Scottish Gifts, and remember to gie it laldie! 

No Hogmanay is compete without a wee dram! In days gone by, whisky makers believed angels came down and took a small amount of whisky from the casks before bottling, romantically called “The Angels’ Share”. We are proud to bring you a little piece of this magic.  Lovingly crafted by hand, this is the ‘whisky dropper’ used across Scotland to add just the right amount of water to your wee dram! Perfect for your Scottish Winter Festivities ahead – Slàinte WeeBox Clan!

An old fashioned, Scottish Christmas ….. that’s what we are wishing you with a WeeBox brimming with Scottish Christmas joy! Yer November WeeBox has everything you need to bring Scottish traditions to yer family celebrations, deck yer halls and create memories to last a lifetime. 

Yer Christmas ‘coo’ messages* (*shopping)

It’s the busiest time of the year! Yer rushed aff yer feet wi’all the Christmas shoppin’, so we hope yer very own wee Highland coo bag will help. Which design did you get?!

Numpty, Coorie, Jiggin’!

While yer cooking up a Christmas feast, bring a touch of festive, red tartan and some our most beloved Scots words to yer family kitchen with this Scots dictionary teatowel!

O’ yon Christmas Tree!

Trim yer tree with one of these bonnie tree decorations to evoke memories of Scotland! Which one did you get?! 

‘Coorie in’* on long, winter nights … (*get snug/cosy”)

While the hours away as ye delve into Scotland’s past and a bygone era.  This vintage 100 piece jigsaw is perfect for those long, winter nights dreaming of Scotland.  

Indulge … in the essence of Scottish Christmas

Decorated trees, snowmen, mince pies – there are some things that just define a Scottish Christmas! Mince pies somehow hold the very essence of Christmas in their crust … and WeeBox brings you the best!  Alex Dalgetty & Sons, award winning 5th generation family bakers, have created these luxurious mince pies made with brandy, using original recipes from the 1880’s at their bakery in the heart of the Scottish Borders. Eat yours warm or cold, with cream or not …. but certainly by a fire with a wee dram. 

If this just isn’t enough Scottish joy, here are our WeeBox HQ top 5 tips for a very, merry Scottish Christmas:

1. Choose a Scottish Christmas card design with a stag or adorable heilan coo! Did you know: Christmas cards are said to be invented in Edinburgh in the mid-nineteenth century?
2. Deck yer halls with tartan! From yon Christmas tree to yer festive table, Royal Stewart red tartan is always a bonnie choice at this time of year
3. Gie yer guests a treat and stuff yer turkey with the best haggis you can buy!  Haggis has been eaten by Scots since the 15th century and is a braw alternative to traditional stuffing. It adds that touch of Scotland to your Christmas feast and helps to keep the turkey delicious and moist
4. In Scotland, the bairns and granny’s alike will be watching Christmas TV favourites like Scotch & Wry, The Snowman (of Irn Bru advert fame!) and Still Game … why not gie them a try with a wee mince pie and cuppa
5. Finally, a wee dram of yer finest whisky next to the fire is a must for any Scot on Christmas nicht! Slainte!

WeeBox wishes you and your kin a very Merry, Scottish Christmas…..  wherever you are!

Cook up yer Hogmanay feast in your kilt this festive season! Fun and festive, we are proud to have brought you this in our December ‘Scottish Winter Festivals’ WeeBox. Lang may yer lum reek Clan!

Summer in Scotland means Highland Games! WeeBox transports you to Braemar, the most famous and arguably best Highland Games in the world! There have been ‘Gatherings’ of one sort or another at Braemar since the days of King Malcolm Canmore 900 years ago and WeeBox brings you all you’ll need to enjoy all the fun of the Games! 

Royal Deeside, home of the world famous Braemar Highland Gathering!

This wee book shares stunning mountain scenery, beautiful glens, castles and why it is a firm favourite with the royal family.  Royal Deeside follows the River Dee into the heart of the Grampian Mountains, with some right royal sights along the way, including the royal family’s favourite Balmoral Castle.  Royal Deeside is a fine-looking area that captivated Queen Victoria with its characteristic Scottish blend of moody mountains, lofty crags, tumbling rivers, moors, forests and neat chocolate box towns and villages.

What to wear to a Royal Highland Gathering? 

Royal Stewart of course! The best known of all Scottish tartans and the personal tartan of Her Majesty the Queen.  This luxury 100% lambswool Ballantrae scarf is a bonnie accessory together with a stunning Hamilton & Young scarf ring to help look the part.  Not sure how to wear your scarf ring? Take a peek at our Facebook page @insideWeeBox for some ideas!

Recognisable all over the world and the best known of all Scottish tartans, Royal Stewart is the tartan of the Royal House of Stewart and the personal tartan of Her Majesty the Queen. In the same way that clansmen wear the tartan of their chief, it is appropriate for all ‘subjects’ of the Queen to wear the Royal Stewart tartan.  The Royal House of Stewart trace their roots back to the 11th century and are the distant ancestors of the current Royal family, the Windsors.  Tartans have drifted in and out of British dress, especially in the mid 18th century when the Jacobite Rebellion nearly caused them to be discarded altogether.  Thankfully, tartan endured and today Royal Stewart is incredibly popular with celebrities and Scots all over the world! 

A wee treat while you watch the Games

What is a Royal Highland Gathering without a satchel of rock to enjoy while you watch the games? Sweet, nostalgic and full of heritage, Ross’s of Edinburgh has preserved this iconic Scottish sweet for generations and WeeBox is proud to have partnered to bring you a wee taste of hame.

Record your memories…

… In this exclusive notebook designed to commemorate the Braemar Highland Games 2018, just for WeeBox subscribers. 

Let the Games begin!

100% lambswool, so incredibly soft and perfect for showing off your love for Scotland!

A ‘love letter to Scotland’! That is what your Outlander-inspired WeeBox brings you this July! Just like Claire, the World War II nurse of Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander books, be transported back in time to 18th century Scotland and the time of the Jacobite risings – standing stones, clans, ancient recipes and of course tartan!

Standing Stones, Clan Fraser, Dragonfly? Which charm did you get?

Exclusive jewellery designers Hamilton & Young on the Royal Mile, Edinburgh bring you their collection inspired by the romance of Jamie and Claire in 18th century Scotland.  Their collection of exclusive jewellery is inspired by that romantic tale of two people in love – Jamie and Claire – while Scotland weaves its magic in each stunning piece.

Tartan and Clans

Widely regarded as being the authority on Scottish clans and tartan, this very special book is close to the hearts of both Scottish natives and the millions of people across the world who have ancestral connections with Scotland!

One of the bestselling books on the subject, this title by Ian Grimble is widely regarded as being the authority on Scottish clans and tartans. A comprehensive guide to this ever-popular aspect of Scottish culture, featuring 150 tartans in full colour. Alongside the tartans are histories of the origins of each clan and their plaids – we know it will be the perfect way to bring your Scottish heritage alive.

The world famous Selkirk Bannock!

Often seen in Mrs Fitz’s kitchen, the famous Scottish Selkirk Bannock is still handcrafted today – most famously by Alex Dalgetty & Sons in the heart of the Scottish Borders! Enjoy sliced with a spread of butter, scrumptious!  

In Scotland, where the term originates from the Gaelic bannach, meaning cake, bannocks were originally round, medium-sized flat breads made from a wet dough of barleymeal and/or oatmeal.  (Meal is an unsifted powder, coarser than flour, ground from any grain.)  They were cooked on a girdle, or griddle, and were cut into scones, or wedges.  Dalgetty‘s world famous Selkirk Bannocks are the benchmark for all others to be judged, and we believe that none come close.  Handmade to a recipe well over 100 years old which involves long dough fermentation to produce flavours that you would not believe possible from a fruit bread.  Using the sweetest sultanas and lashings of creamy butter, only Alex Dalgetty & Sons know how to make a true Selkirk Bannock.  Best served sliced and spread with butter, or even try it toasted for a change. For something extra special why not try making a sumptuous bread and butter pudding.

Exclusive Brave Scottish Gifts ‘Standing Stones’ Postcard

Inspired by the Outlander heroine Claire’s magical encounter in the Scottish Highlands – an event that changes her life, share these Standing Stones or let yourself be transported to our bonnie land. These Calanais (or Callanish) Standing Stones, are located on the west coast of Lewis and you can’t help but wonder at the motivation of our ancestors to build such monuments over 3000 years ago.

Je Suis Prest! Are you ready?

Brave Scottish Gifts bring you this exclusive ‘Je Suis Prest’ t-shirt to salute Jamie and the Fraser Clan! WeeBox HQ first met Thomas, the creative genius behind Brave Scottish gifts 2 years ago.  We love his often irreverent take on Scottish humour and his absolute commitment to producing high quality Scottish gifts for Scots-at-heart all over the world!

Andy, the Highlander!

Is it your dream to visit Scotland? Well, WeeBox has the perfect tour guide for you! We highly recommend Andrew McAlindon, Andy the Highlander – unique, incredible insights and fun as you take part in the action too! Having filmed in Outlander Seasons 2 & 3, Andy transports you as one of Jamie Fraser’s Highland men 💪. And that’s not all – Andy delivers scenic, historic, whisky & custom tours too – so something for everyone, no matter what it is YOU 💜 about Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Just for our WeeBox Clan this month – an exclusive discount offer inside your July WeeBox! www.highlandertours.co.uk 

This month, create the most iconic of Scottish Afternoon Tea experiences with the cultural legacy of Charles Rennie Mackintosh – Scotland’s famous designer, in this landmark 150th year since his birth! 

Be transported back over 100 years to Miss Cranston’s Willow Team Rooms designed by Mackintosh and indulge!

Miss Cranstons’s original Willow Tea Rooms at 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, were designed by Mackintosh in 1903. This historic building is of the greatest significance for Scotland’s design heritage.  It is the only tea room where Mackintosh was in control of the exterior and the interior and the results are spectacular.

The building is recognised internationally for its importance as the only surviving tea room designed in its entirety by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Brodies Scottish Afternoon Tea

You will love this cheering and reviving blend with its beautiful packaging depicting St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh!  It is said Queen Victoria, during a stay at Balmoral, enjoyed her blend so much she introduced it to England to become the iconic tea it is today!

Create the perfect Scottish Afternoon Tea setting with Mackintosh 

Did you know that Mackintosh was part of the only art nouveau movement in Britain?   The now world famous ‘Glasgow Style’! Re-create those art nouveau days in Scotland with this bonnie china tea cup, tea tidy and braw wee tray! We’ve even included a wee book about Mackintosh to browse while enjoying your wee cuppa.

What is Scottish Afternoon Tea without shortbread? 

Beautifully indulgent, all-butter, hand-made shortbread – straight from Chrystal’s kitchen near the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond! 

WeeBox HQ met the actual ‘Chrystal’ in her kitchen and sampled freshly made shortbread – the very morning we collected the delivery for our WeeBox Clan!  We wish we could have boxed the sugary, buttery aroma for you…. heaven!  Chrystal prides herself on the quality and authenticity of her shortbread, using only the best ingredients with no artificial additives or preservatives. The recipe and techniques for baking remain unchanged through generations of her farming family, passed down from mother to daughter.  We love the rustic look of her home-made baking and Chrystal continues to individually hand-cut and scored each tray of shortbread …the way it has always been.

Which Charles Rennie Mackintosh print did you get? 

Both stunning designs, featuring in the acclaimed exhibition currently in Glasgow.  Perfect for framing in your home.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿💜👍A Wee July Update: 

Since posting this blether, we know our global WeeBox Clan has been moved by the devastating fire that tore though the iconic Mackintosh Building of the Glasgow School of Art. WeeBox HQ has been blown away by the love, support and outpouring from subscribers and followers around the world.

BREAKING NEWS: Glasgow School of Art Director announces The Mack will be rebuilt!! 10.07.2018

If you would like to play your part in preserving Mackintosh for future generations, please support the ‘Mackintosh Rose Appeal’ and wear your ‘Glasgow Rose’ badge included in your June WeeBox with pride 🌹

WeeBox salutes CRM and the iconic Mack!!

Your very own Highland Cow to love! 

A sighting of this majestic, Scottish icon in the Highlands never disappoints! So WeeBox brings you this adorable, hairy heilan coo just for you

Indulge …. straight from a Skye lochside kitchen!

Ooooh does WeeBox has a sweet treat for you! The Isle of Skye Fudge Company has created this traditional Scottish tablet straight from their kitchen on the west coast of Skye! Heaven! For most Scots, tablet is our favourite sweet, and dates back to the early 1700s.  This long history was first noted in The Household Book of Lady Grisell Baillie and today is our traditional after dinner sweet and features in many Scottish weddings or function as the finale to a special meal.