Scottish/Celtic customs for dedicating a new home?

[LordKiltClad]

That's really cool Ozman. Nice and simple. Similar to the first gifts received at a wedding.

[GlassMan]

I thought the greatest Scottish tradition about a new house was not paying too much!

Just kidding. Seriously, I like the idea of the gifts.

[Bob C]

I thought the greatest Scottish tradition about a new house was not paying too much!

Believe me - I worked VERY hard at that one. I still think I paid too much, but I beat the market average pretty soundly.

[brandycr]

Flashing back whats the custom about putting a black roosters blood on the doorstep?Been along time since grandparents who were very superstitious were alive andf talked about old ways .Have to see if i can find it online somewhere unless another xmarker knows it.

[macwilkin]

Flashing back whats the custom about putting a black roosters blood on the doorstep?Been along time since grandparents who were very superstitious were alive andf talked about old ways .Have to see if i can find it online somewhere unless another xmarker knows it.

There are several variations to this custom; in the Ozarks, Owls entrails were sometimes nailed to the door as a protection against witches, but 1). I'm not sure if this originates in Scotland, and 2). it's sorta disgusting. I doubt Bob's houseguests would want to see rooster blood or owl parts when they came to the door.

T.

[highlander_Daz]

dont forget Bob when first-footing it must be someone with dark hair, this dates back to the viking invasions (they had light hair) strictly speaking should be a stranger as well but -
A. I dont know any strangers
B. in some parts of Scotland letting strangers in your house could be disasterous.
a piper outside might be nice would be an ice breaker with the neighbors

[beloitpiper]

What are you naming the place? Our ancestral cottage in Ireland was named "áit Cluthar", or "The Cozy Place".

[Bob C]

What are you naming the place? Our ancestral cottage in Ireland was named "áit Cluthar", or "The Cozy Place".

Don't plan to name it. It's just our house. A piper is a given.

Thanks for the input, everybody, owl guts and all.

[macwilkin]

Don't plan to name it. It's just our house. A piper is a given.

Thanks for the input, everybody, owl guts and all.

Bob,

Would you like me to overnight some "genuine Ozarks owl guts" to you? :mrgreen:

Todd

[oldsoldier]

An old tradition, I remember, when reading about Ireland, was to place a glass jar of sand by the front doorstep. Now, I know you're not religious (I am not particularly religious myself), but, this was to keep an evil spirit busy counting the grains of sand until morning, when he was banished by the sunlight. I always thought it was an interesting story, and wondered, exactly, how big a jar someone would need