This week sees the first of the historic Scottish Quarter/Term Days as 2
February is Candlemas. In the past it was common practice for gift
to be made to schoolmasters on that day. This gift was known as a
Candlemas bleeze and in some parts of Scotland the boy who gave the
highest money present to the schoolmaster was given the title Candlemas
king.
Those with an eye to the weather surrounding Candlemas gave rise to the
following weather lore:-
If Candlemas day be dry and fair,
The half o the Winter's to come and mair;
If Candlemas day be wet and foul,
The half o the Winter's gane at Yule.
Let us hope that the worst of the Winter for 2005 has passed at Christmas!
The term days were the only four days of the year on which certain
payments eg rent or interest, became due. Leases commenced and
ended and contracts of employment, esp. on farms, began and ended.
The other quarter days are Whitsunday (15 May), Lammas (1 August) and
Martinmas (11 November).
We are still in the midst of the Burns' season and this week's recipe
gives a tasty twist to the normal Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, as it
combines a flavour of Scotland and Italy!
Haggis Lasagne
