Folklore of Scotland

1 May

Folklore from the old calendars

Beltane fair at Peebles Still kept PeeblesshireRobert Kier of Falkirk wrote that in Scotland the first day of May was once called Beltane, a season of boisterous mirth, and that the town of Peebles still held a fair called the Beltane fair.
Betwixt two Beltein fires Lore and belief Highlands, Inner Hebrides, Inverness-shireA Highland saying held that someone caught between two cunning people was betwixt two Beltein fires.
Dancing sunwise round the Moray Beltein No longer kept MorayOn the first of May the herdsmen of several farms in Moray gathered dry wood, lit it and danced three times sunwise round the pile.
First across the Barvas river Lore and belief Outer HebridesMartin Martin found that the people of Barvas in Lewis sent a man across the Barvas river very early every first of May.
Pennant’s Beltein in the Highlands No longer kept HighlandsPennant found that on the first of May the herdsmen of every Highland village held their Beltein.
Robin Hood and the Abbot of Unreason No longer kept Midlothian, ScotlandIn Scotland the Robin Hood games were played with great spirit, above all at Edinburgh, together with the burlesque of the Abbot of Unreason and a Queen of May.
The Dragon Hole on Kinnoull Hill No longer kept PerthshireHigh in a steep rock on the face of Kinnoull Hill above Perth was a cave, very hard and dangerous to reach, called the Dragon Hole.
The snail on the slate Lore and belief StirlingshireRobert Kier's letter from Falkirk said that in Scotland no one would marry in May.
Washing in the May dew on Arthur’s Seat Still kept MidlothianChambers found that almost the only May Day habit left in his day was for young women to go out early and wash their faces in the dew, which was held to make them fair.

Folklore of Scotland

1 May

1 May, not tied to the day

2 May

3 May

12 May

12 May, not tied to the day

14 May

15 May

18 May

20 May, not tied to the day

25 May

Image credits