January in Scotland brings Happy New Year wishes to everyone. In Scotland, we celebrate Hogmanay with a traditional Ceilidh. The evening finishes with the conventional Robbie Burns “For Auld Lang Syne” and a bit more Scottish tradition with The Bonnie Banks o’ Loch Lomond – a great way to end the old year and bring in the New Year.
Scotland this year will be alive with superb street parties to bring in the New Year. Edinburgh is renowned, but Inverness, Grantown-on-Spey, and many smaller towns hold beautiful events filled with bagpipes and New Year wishes.
And then, in a truly traditional style, partying is followed by a bit of first footing and one of my favourites – the celebrated Scottish Black Bun—a family favourite. If you have not tasted Black Bun, a densely packed fruit cake baked in a pastry casing and a true treat from my childhood Christmases, then you have not lived. This is yet another tradition we can link back to Robbie Burns.
And, of course, Scotland celebrates Burns Night on the 25th of January. The date commemorates the poet’s birthday, a 300-year-old tradition involving haggis, neeps
and tatties. It is Scottish fare and just right for a cold winter evening.
Let’s hope everyone can keep exploring. 2023 brought us many lovely guests from all over the UK and the World. We had many honeymooners exploring Scotland and many first-time visitors to Scotland. We also had several small groups celebrating special birthdays or special occasions, so there were a few birthday cakes, Pipers, or guests in Highland Dress in evidence. Whatever the occasion, it is always rewarding to see a plan come together and to see people enjoying themselves.
So looking forward, January is a beautiful time to plan your visit to Scotland. Unless you are a skier or a true snow lover, perhaps even a photographer, whilst Scotland is wonderful in January, or any other time of the year, the weather in Scotland in January may suggest may be better times to visit!
Plus, don’t lose sight of the fact that many visitor attractions are not open until Easter, and sunset times are still around 3.30 in the afternoon, leaving visitors with very short daylight hours.
Whilst the January climate may be surprisingly dry, it is worth noting the average minimum temperature in Glasgow in January is 0.0°C (32°F). … The average daytime temperature is around 5.0°C (41°F), making January our coldest month.
Therefore, January is the perfect time to research, plan your stay, and make reservations. Even in our small way at Blervie House, people make reservations 12 months or more in advance. Check the website for Things To Do, make a list, and plan your trip. We all need something to look forward to.
Look at what works for your visit to Scotland and what events are happening so you can plan your Scottish itinerary to make the most of your time.
Remember that booking directly with us saves you 10%, and if your stay is for three nights or more, this is our best-laid nightly rate, and even then, some guests say it is not long enough. We have upgraded some of our rooms and now have two two-bedroom suites if you travel with family or friends.
Like many other parts of the World, January in Scotland always brings New Year’s resolutions, often involving diets and exercise. I am sure you all have your resolutions, but don’t worry if you missed Hogmanay celebrations and need another chance to celebrate in Scotland. There will be a second celebration of the New Year with the Burning of the Clavie at Burghead on the 11th of January.
New for 2024 Guest Bloggers Joining In 2024
With all this talk of New Year Resolutions, my Blervie House teammates have been roped into making Guest Appearances each month in exchange for their board and lodging.
My teammates are Buddy, Frank, Derry, and Rosie. The plan is that they take turns introducing themselves and sharing their top tips for enjoying Scotland, the best trails and excursions, and any other information they feel they should share. Of course, if you have any questions you would like to ask them, they will be thrilled to hear from you and answer as best they can.
So, with that in mind, it only remains for us here at Blervie House to wish everyone a wonderful New Year, and we hope we see you in Scotland soon.