New Year’s Day 25th March you say!

 

 

On 17 December 1599, James VI of Scotland decided that New Year's Day would be changed from 25 March to 1 January so that Scotland would come into line with other “well governit commonwealths". Many in Scotland celebrated the New Year on 25 March as this date marked the beginning of the new year according to the Julian Calendar. Historically, 1 November signified the conclusion of the harvest season and the onset of winter, a period known as Samhain (pronounced sow-in). Often referred to as the Celtic New Year, this ancient celebration, which continues to be observed by many, commences on the evening of 31 October. The festivities typically include food and bonfires. Samhain serves as a threshold between the light and dark halves of the year, and those who partake in the holiday believe it is a time when the barrier between this world and the otherworld is at its most permeable, facilitating the passage of spirits and enabling communication with ancestors.