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I've lived in Scotland my entire life. Here are 6 traditions I grew up with that my American friends find surprising.

Mikhaila FrielJan 25, 2024, 19:01 IST

Mikhaila Friel in St. Andrews, Scotland.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

I was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and have lived there for most of my life.
After spending time in the US and England, I learned Scottish traditions weren't considered typical.

I've lived in Scotland, UK, for almost my entire life.

A map showing Scotland in the UK.Google Maps

Every January, we celebrate Burns Night in honor of the famous poet Robert Burns.

Robert Burns.Kean Collection/Getty Images

On Burns Night, we eat a traditional Scottish meal known as "Burns Supper."

Haggis, neeps, and tatties.Colin McPherson/Corbis via Getty Images

Men wear kilts at important celebrations, such as school proms, weddings, and graduations.

A photo of Mikhaila's parents, Debbie and David Friel, on their wedding day in 1995.Mikhaila Friel/Insider

At school dances, we don't dance to modern music. Instead, we have traditional Scottish dancing, known as ceilidhs.

People dance on the Royal Mile during the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh.Andrew Milligan/PA Images via Getty Images

Bagpipes are played at important events.

Bagpipe player at the Braemar Games in Scotland.Tim Graham/Getty Images

New Year's Eve — known as Hogmanay in Scotland — involves several traditions.

Fireworks in Edinburgh on New Year's Eve 2013.Roberto Ricciuti/Redferns via Getty Images

What the cast of Netflix's 'Griselda' looks like in real life