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Scottish Customs: From the Cradle to the Grave
Tape-recorded interviews from the 20th and 21st centuries give voice to tradition-bearers from all walks of life adding color to this comprehensive picture of social behavior. The most up-to-date, authoritative work on the subject, this collection spans several centuries and, in three sections, deals with Childbirth and Infancy; Love, Courtship and Marriage; and Death and Burial.
340 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2000
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About the author
Margaret Bennett
27 books5 followersFolklorist, singer and writer Margaret Bennett is from the Isle of Skye and comes from a long line of traditional singers and pipers — Gaelic on her mother’s side and Lowland Scots on her father’s. She credits her family upbringing with her expertise in Scottish Folklore and folksong, though she has a post-grad Master’s in Folklore and a PhD in Ethnology.
Widely regarded as “Scotland’s foremost folklorist” she is known to “wear her scholarship lightly,” lecturing, singing and storytelling on both sides of the Atlantic. Scottish Arts critic Judy Moir wrote “It’s rare to witness such a charismatic and fascinating raconteur.”
Prize-winning author with 15 books to her credit, her awards include The Michaelis Ratcliffe Prize for Folklore (1991), The Scotch Malt Whisky Society award “for notable service… rendered to the people of Scotland” (1994), the Master Music Maker Award “(USA, 1998) in celebration of a lifetime of musicianship and teaching”, Canadian Historical Association/Société historique du Canada: Cleo Award for History (1999), the Celtic Women International 2003 award for “lifelong service to Scottish and Celtic Culture” and Le Prix du Québec (for contribution to Quebec cultural studies (2011).
She has also featured in theatre, film and documentaries and with her son Martyn Bennett (1971–2005) collaborated on recording projects, including the lament in the National Theatre of Scotland’s critically acclaimed play, ‘Black Watch’.
Since 2009 she has been the driving force behind the charity Grace Notes Scotland, (“Dedicated to handing on tradition”), organizing and teaching community workshops as well as recording local traditions.
Also, since 2009, she has been a Patron of the Traditional Music and Song Association. In 2011, for her services to traditional music she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama; in 2012 the Royal Scottish Academy elected her Professor of the RSA; in 2014 she was inducted into the Traditional Music Hall of Fame; in 2017 the Saltire Society (Highland Branch) presented her with an award “for outstanding work in conserving and sustaining the oral traditions, music and song of the Highlands and Islands“. In 2019, the Saltire Society awarded her their Outstanding Women Award, as one of ten women who have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish society.
As the late Hamish Henderson wrote, “Margaret embodies the spirit of Scotland.”
Widely regarded as “Scotland’s foremost folklorist” she is known to “wear her scholarship lightly,” lecturing, singing and storytelling on both sides of the Atlantic. Scottish Arts critic Judy Moir wrote “It’s rare to witness such a charismatic and fascinating raconteur.”
Prize-winning author with 15 books to her credit, her awards include The Michaelis Ratcliffe Prize for Folklore (1991), The Scotch Malt Whisky Society award “for notable service… rendered to the people of Scotland” (1994), the Master Music Maker Award “(USA, 1998) in celebration of a lifetime of musicianship and teaching”, Canadian Historical Association/Société historique du Canada: Cleo Award for History (1999), the Celtic Women International 2003 award for “lifelong service to Scottish and Celtic Culture” and Le Prix du Québec (for contribution to Quebec cultural studies (2011).
She has also featured in theatre, film and documentaries and with her son Martyn Bennett (1971–2005) collaborated on recording projects, including the lament in the National Theatre of Scotland’s critically acclaimed play, ‘Black Watch’.
Since 2009 she has been the driving force behind the charity Grace Notes Scotland, (“Dedicated to handing on tradition”), organizing and teaching community workshops as well as recording local traditions.
Also, since 2009, she has been a Patron of the Traditional Music and Song Association. In 2011, for her services to traditional music she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama; in 2012 the Royal Scottish Academy elected her Professor of the RSA; in 2014 she was inducted into the Traditional Music Hall of Fame; in 2017 the Saltire Society (Highland Branch) presented her with an award “for outstanding work in conserving and sustaining the oral traditions, music and song of the Highlands and Islands“. In 2019, the Saltire Society awarded her their Outstanding Women Award, as one of ten women who have made an outstanding contribution to Scottish society.
As the late Hamish Henderson wrote, “Margaret embodies the spirit of Scotland.”
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
June 4, 2020
Why did I choose this book? I have an avid interest in the history, and folklore of the Highlands, even before moving here last year. I am curious about the superstitions and such like surrounding life events of the Scottish people.
What did I like? Oh, everything, but particularly the inclusion of some Gaelic and Scots in the words used by folk.
This book is mostly a compilation of interviews with Scottish folk recalling the procedures for, and celebrations of significant events in the human life cycle: birth, baptism, marriage, divorce, and death. The author has arranged this methodically - if not strictly by region - and transcribed them in the speaker's own words, with accompanying translations if needed.
I have to say there is a broad range of lore, custom and attitude covered in this book. What I found fascinating was how the customs changed over the years, sometimes within less than a decade, and how the culture of incomers might have effected such changes.
It is a good introduction for the layperson, such as myself, despite being a scholarly work. I read elsewhere someone said this is not a book you read cover to cover, but delve into from time to time. I disagree. I read it from cover to cover, savouring every record contained within.
What makes this book a real gem is the extensive endnotes providing the source of each interview, and further explanation of various snippets within them. There is also a long bibliography, and a further reading list for those who wish to learn more. For these two things alone, I am grateful to Margaret Bennett.
Although I have a paperback copy, it was left in storage during my move [Sadly, along with most of my library for the time being.] So, I read this on my Kindle and was able to make extensive notes for future reference, as I am sure to return to this book regularly.
I was happy to find no typographical errors in the Kindle edition, which sometimes seems to happen these days.
What didn't I like? Is it really a complaint that there were too many books in the further reading section that I now want to read?
Would I recommend it? Yes. I highly recommend it.
What did I like? Oh, everything, but particularly the inclusion of some Gaelic and Scots in the words used by folk.
This book is mostly a compilation of interviews with Scottish folk recalling the procedures for, and celebrations of significant events in the human life cycle: birth, baptism, marriage, divorce, and death. The author has arranged this methodically - if not strictly by region - and transcribed them in the speaker's own words, with accompanying translations if needed.
I have to say there is a broad range of lore, custom and attitude covered in this book. What I found fascinating was how the customs changed over the years, sometimes within less than a decade, and how the culture of incomers might have effected such changes.
It is a good introduction for the layperson, such as myself, despite being a scholarly work. I read elsewhere someone said this is not a book you read cover to cover, but delve into from time to time. I disagree. I read it from cover to cover, savouring every record contained within.
What makes this book a real gem is the extensive endnotes providing the source of each interview, and further explanation of various snippets within them. There is also a long bibliography, and a further reading list for those who wish to learn more. For these two things alone, I am grateful to Margaret Bennett.
Although I have a paperback copy, it was left in storage during my move [Sadly, along with most of my library for the time being.] So, I read this on my Kindle and was able to make extensive notes for future reference, as I am sure to return to this book regularly.
I was happy to find no typographical errors in the Kindle edition, which sometimes seems to happen these days.
What didn't I like? Is it really a complaint that there were too many books in the further reading section that I now want to read?
Would I recommend it? Yes. I highly recommend it.
March 2, 2014
This is a brilliant book for dipping in and out of, full not only of traditions and customs, but with explanations of their origins, and their many regional variations. I can't say it's the type of book you'd want to read start to finish, but it's fantastic for research (which is how I use it) and really accessible. A combination of oral and written history from lots of sources going back to the 17th Century, if you're writing a Scottish wedding scene, I'd say it's invaluable. And what's more, it's amazing how many of those traditions are still around in another variation - like the salt in the potty!
February 20, 2009
I never realized how superstitious the Scottish people are. Very fascinating look at childbith, marriage and deaths customs. After researching Scottish ancestors, I wonder if they held these beliefs.
March 5, 2016
This is a wonderful book filled with stories and descriptions of Scottish customs. As someone of Scottish descent, I found it especially interesting.
March 19, 2020
5 stars!! Cannot express how much I enjoyed reading this book. I'm sad that I've finished it!
August 17, 2025
A richly detailed and captivating anthology, Scottish Customs from the Cradle to the Grave is a masterful exploration of Scotland’s rites of passage. Blending historical accounts with modern interviews, it paints a vivid portrait of 400 years of tradition. An essential read for anyone fascinated by cultural heritage and folklore.
May 9, 2023
A decent overview of Scottish customs (categorized into three sections: pregnancy/birth/childhood, love/marriage, and death). This is mostly in the form of quotes - some from historic texts, but many from Bennett's own interviews with dozens of older people across Scotland recounting memories from their childhoods. A great resource, and great that those stories and traditions are preserved through Bennett's work.
And, more poetically, it's thought-provoking to see their nostalgia and how some things are lost and some things are gained with time. As one old woman put it, talking about the rituals of marriage and love that have fallen away, and how there used to be a reason to celebrate each milestone: "It would be an occasion, definitely an occasion... it was special to her, wasn't it? Everything's very ordinary now..."
And, more poetically, it's thought-provoking to see their nostalgia and how some things are lost and some things are gained with time. As one old woman put it, talking about the rituals of marriage and love that have fallen away, and how there used to be a reason to celebrate each milestone: "It would be an occasion, definitely an occasion... it was special to her, wasn't it? Everything's very ordinary now..."
May 4, 2024
Absolutely fascinating insight into Scottish customs.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews