Scots Blog
The Scots language has a rich tradition, and abounds with marvellous words. This blog will regularly show a different Scots or Gaelic word with its English equivalent. I hope that you will enjoy them as much as I do!
Linda Gilmore Sutherland
BLACK BUN 02/01/17
by Linda - 01:01 on 02 January 2017
BLACK BUN = SPICED FRUIT CAKE FOR HOGMANAY
This rich fruit cake makes its appearance every year for Hogmanay, and is enjoyed throughout the festive season. As you can see, the fruit cake is baked inside a pastry crust. It has the enviable property of being able to soak up a remarkable volume of whisky! Which of course is a great advantage when one is first footing numerous family members and friends.
One of my most memorable Hogmanays was in fact the first one I experienced, when 1965 turned into 1966. I had relatively recently arrived in Aberdeen as a student from the States. When the technician in our lab realised that I would be alone for Hogmanay, she was profoundly shocked, and her family kindly gathered me in as if I were just another one of their young folk. Day after day we walked from one auntie or grannie or cousin to another, with each visit involving story telling and singing and eating and drinking! What a marvellous introduction to the kindness and warmth and generosity of a welcome in Scotland.
You may be interested to know that at that time Christmas was not a holiday in Aberdeen. Hogmanay was the time for family and friends.
