Glenlivet (once a smuggling operation) became one of the first legally licensed distillers in the Highlands in 1824. Neighboring bootleggers were none too pleased and threatened to burn Glenlivet down, but other distilleries joined Glenlivet, realizing they could charge far more and work with distributors throughout Scotland, England, and beyond by going above-board.
Whisky makers were further aided by the invention of a new columnal still, patented in 1831 by Aeneas Coffey. This newly designed still allowed for whisky to reach higher alcohol concentrations while making the whole process faster, easier, and less labor-intensive. The result was also a smoother, sweeter whisky, which created a boom in both demand and supply. Coffey’s design remains the basis for all column stills made to this day. And of course Scotch whisky is celebrated the world over as some of the finest malt liquor money can buy.
Speaking of celebrating, Christmas was in fact not widely celebrated in Scotland for several centuries. After the Reformation and Scotland’s transition from a predominantly Catholic to a Protestant nation in the sixteenth century, Christmas festivities were considered a bit too “Popish.” Hogmanay (New Year’s Day) took precedence as a time for feasting, rest, reflection, and celebration.
But of course on a practical level, several of the seasonal events, including Christmas, Hogmanay, and the older Viking-influenced rituals of Yule, all had deep roots in Scotland. They were often woven together to create a mashup of traditions and merriments at the end of one year and the start to the next.
Livie’s selected tradition of cutting boughs and mistletoe, for example, has its origins in the pagan solstice festivities the Vikings brought with them to Scotland, called Yule. Evergreen boughs (an ancient precursor to the Christmas tree) were brought inside to decorate hearths and rafters. They were meant to represent a celebration of the renewal of life on the darkest days of the year. Mistletoe was also hung overhead, because Celtic peoples believed it had magical properties of healing, along with increasing fertility—hence all the kissing that happens beneath it!
As for Amelia’s tradition, we must go across the English border to the town of Market Drayton, which claims to be “the home of gingerbread.” Gingerbread was made for centuries on the continent of Europe before reaching England, and possibly has its origins with the ancient Greeks and Egyptians, so perhaps the town should be called the “headquarters of British gingerbread” instead.
Still, Market Drayton became known for gingerbread in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries thanks to its delicious and closely guarded recipe. Although my story of the two rival bakers is fictitious, Billington’s gingerbread, which made its debut in 1817, does pride itself on its secret recipe. It is the oldest continuously surviving brand of gingerbread. Even today, the town celebrates its gingerbread history with an annual ginger and spice festival.
Quickly, a few smaller notes. Unlike in England, women could in fact inherit under Scottish law, provided they were the only direct descendant of a titleholder.
Blair’s game, which most of us recognize as hide and seek, was indeed called Hopsy in Victorian-era records, though that version was apparently usually only played by boys.
And lastly, another etymological note. The word ‘nightcap’ to refer to the drink and not the head covering was first written down in 1814. It probably came about because a late-night drink and the donning of a cap were both associated with getting ready for bed.
Thank you for journeying back to Victorian-era Scotland with me, and here’s to many more stories to share!
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Thank You!
Thank you for taking the time to read A Governess Under the Mistletoe (Highland Christmas, Book 2))!
And thank you in advance for sharing your enjoyment of this book (or my other books) with fellow readers by leaving a review on Amazon. Long or short, detailed or to the point, I read all reviews and greatly appreciate you for writing one!
Books by Emma Prince
Highland Christmas:
To Kiss a Governess (Book 1)
A Governess Under the Mistletoe (Book 2)
Four Horsemen of the Highlands:
Ensnared by the Laird (Book 1)
Wager with a Warrior (Book 2)
Book 3—coming soon!
Highland Bodyguards Series:
The Lady’s Protector (Book 1)
Heart’s Thief (Book 2)
A Warrior’s Pledge (Book 3)
Claimed by the Bounty Hunter (Book 4)
A Highland Betrothal (Novella, Book 4.5)
The Promise of a Highlander (Book 5)
The Bastard Laird’s Bride (Book 6)
Surrender to the Scot (Book 7)
Her Wild Highlander (Book 8)
His Lass to Protect (Book 9)
The Laird’s Yuletide Bride (Book 9.5)
Deceiving the Highlander (Book 10)
The Sinclair Brothers Trilogy:
Highlander’s Ransom (Book 1)
Highlander’s Redemption (Book 2)
Highlander’s Return (Bonus Novella, Book 2.5)
Highlander’s Reckoning (Book 3)
Viking Lore Series:
Enthralled (Viking Lore, Book 1)
Shieldmaiden’s Revenge (Viking Lore, Book 2)
The Bride Prize (Viking Lore, Book 2.5)
Desire’s Hostage (Viking Lore, Book 3)
Thor’s Wolf (Viking Lore, Book 3.5)
Other Books:
Wish upon a Winter Solstice (A Highland Holiday Novella)
Falling for the Highlander: A Time Travel Romance (Enchanted Falls, Book 1)
The Siren’s Kiss (A Medieval Scottish Romance)
Teasers for Emma Prince’s Books
The Sinclair Brothers Trilogy:
Go back to where it all began—with Robert and Alwin’s story in HIGHLANDER’S RANSOM, Book One of
