Read below for a seasonal diary. From time to time we are able to give details of events organised by Dundee or Abertay Universities. Where these are available, events organised by the University of Dundee for their International students are marked "University of Dundee" and events organised by the University of Abertay for their International students are marked "University of Abertay"

2009 - 2010

  SEPTEMBER 19th - FRIENDS INTERNATIONAL - DUNDEE WELCOME EVENING -

An evening of free food and Scottish entertainment. Logie & St John's Church Hall (Shaftesbury Terrace - off Blackness Road, Dundee). Please come around 7 o'clock in the evening for a 7.30 start.

  SEPTEMBER 26th - INTERNATIONAL CAFÉ REOPENS -

Logie & St John's Church Hall, Shaftesbury Terrace (off Blackness Road) Dundee 8 o'clock in the evening to 10 o'clock.

OCTOBER 5th - LOCAL HOLIDAY

Many shops and businesses in Dundee will be closed.

NOVEMBER 5th - "GUY FAWKES NIGHT", "BONFIRE NIGHT" OR "FIREWORKS NIGHT"

There was once a plot to blow up the Houses of Parliament on the day the King came to open Parliament. There is a good deal of uncertainty about who was really responsible for this. Certainly there were forced confessions against a background of scheming by both sides and political intrigue. Since Guy Fawkes had been found in the cellar with explosives he was violently executed. The failure of the plot is celebrated with bonfires and fireworks.

NOVEMBER 11th - REMEMBRANCE DAY

This is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice at the end of the First World War. It is a day to remember all those who died in both world wars and other wars. Some people make a practice of stopping work at 11:00 to think and remember. For many people, it is a time to pray for peace and to pray for those who still suffer as a result of wartime losses, so on the closest Sunday to the 11th there is a two minute silence for prayer in churches. Remembrance Sunday has been kept for many years as a day for remembering together. You will see people in the streets selling red poppies to raise money to help those who were injured during the wars.

NOVEMBER 30th - SAINT ANDREW'S DAY

Andrew was a fisherman who left his boat and net behind him on the beach to follow Jesus. He seems to have been a helpful, friendly man who loved to talk to people about Jesus. Years after his death, it was said that his bones were brought to Scotland and kept at St. Andrews. Because of this rather doubtful story, St. Andrew's day is celebrated as Scotland's national day.

DECEMBER 24th - CHRISTMAS EVE

Traditionally, this is normally not a holiday in Scotland, but these days some shops and offices may close early as people go home to prepare for Christmas. Children may hang out stockings (or larger pillow cases and sacks!) in the hope that Santa Claus may fill them with gifts during the night.

DECEMBER 25th - CHRISTMAS DAY

Again, this was not originally a Scottish festival. The Scottish churches did not follow the church calendar. However, today most Scots join in with the celebrations. Although we do not know the exact date of his birth, many Christians use this day to remember that Jesus Christ came to Earth and was born as a baby. We see this as a great miracle and a great act of kindness so some people go to Church to thank God that Jesus came. Most of the celebrations take place in the home. Families often travel to be together on Christmas day and give gifts to the children. We always try to put up a web page near Christmas time, giving details of the times of Christmas services and other events in some local churches. Check our "Noticeboard" page on this website nearer the time for more information.

In addition to the Christian festival there are a lot of other traditions associated with this day. People open gifts from Santa Claus who has allegedly travelled from the North Pole through the sky on a sledge pulled by reindeer, slipped down the chimney and filled their stockings with gifts before hurrying on to visit most of the rest of the world. He is said to be a rather large old man and conventionally wears red. People bring greenery and trees into their homes and decorate them. In some parts of England people burn logs to make as much light as possible - the days are short and dark at this time of year. There is a suspicion that these customs actually arise from older celebrations of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year.

There are a number of traditional foods eaten at Christmas. Mincemeat pies, Christmas cake and Christmas pudding are all made from dried fruit as there would have been little fresh fruit available in the winter. Many people eat Turkey now at Christmas dinner but this is a fairly recent innovation. Certainly the English have always had a large feast on Christmas day.

DECEMBER 26th - BOXING DAY

This is a day for giving to the poor. It was originally Saint Stephen's day. Stephen was the first man to be killed because he followed Jesus and spoke about him. Before he was killed, his job in the early Church had been to distribute money to those who needed help. In England, it became the practice in church to collect money throughout the year in large collecting boxes. The boxes were opened on St. Stephen's day - boxing day.

DECEMBER 31st - HOGMANAY OR NEW YEAR'S EVE

This used to be a day of preparation in Scotland for the celebrations of New Year's day. People would be busy cooking. Then they would put away their aprons and wait up to "see the New Year in." These days some people are inclined to start partying rather earlier in the evening and some cities have street parties.

JANUARY 1st - NEW YEAR'S DAY

At midnight, at the start of the New Year families would greet one another and have a meal together - sometimes steak pie. Each family had its own ways. Black Bun is another food that some people had to celebrate the New Year. People would often stay up all night going from house to house visiting their relatives and friends. You would never go empty handed, but would take a gift for each household. This practice is called first footing because you would want to be the first person to set foot in someone's home to greet them at the New Year. Sadly this is done much less these days, possibly because some people are too tired out after their Hogmanay parties! New Year is a time for parties and gatherings with a Scottish flavour. At a ceilidh people may sing Scottish songs and play traditional music. There may be dancing. If we hear of any such events, we shall let you know, so check our website nearer the time.

While we make every effort to keep the information on this page as accurate as possible, we strongly recommend that you check with the organisers of any events other than those arranged by Friends International - Dundee before you make any arrangements or incur any expense based upon the content of this or any other page on our web site.