By Frans
From late December to early January, I embarked on a journey throughout Scotland. I first traveled to the Highlands. Amid the striking nature and picturesque villages with old stone houses, I learned about the history of the different clans and their interactions with the English. I also got to see a lot of beautiful lochs, unfortunately, due to bad weather conditions that caused a road to be closed, I did not get to see the most famous of the lochs – Loch Ness.
On the 30th of December, I took the train to Glasgow. Sometimes you know exactly what to expect yet you’re nonetheless overwhelmed. This was certainly the case with The Old Firm derby. The rivalry between Celtic and Rangers is one of the fiercest in football (soccer), or all sports for that matter, and the atmosphere in Glasgow on match day is palpable. As I made my way to a pub in a Celtic area, the streets were already alive with fans chanting club anthems.
The rivalry dates back two centuries and is deeply rooted in the culture. It also represents a religious conflict between Catholics and Protestants. I cannot describe with words how intense the atmosphere was. The pub had removed all tables to fit more people and we were all standing tightly packed. With every pass, tackle, and shot, it felt as if the walls around us would crumble from the sheer sound of the crowd around me.
The intensity of it also causes reflection. The entire stadium where the match is played is divided into two parts with empty seats and police separating the supporters of the two teams, and during Old Firm weekends, it’s reported that violent attacks increase ninefold.
The last couple of days I spent in Edinburgh and celebrating Hogmanay there was another highlight. Hogmanay, the Scottish celebration of New Year’s Eve, has its own vibrant customs and traditions. The streets were filled with parties, concerts, and fireworks. I also met a lot of people from around the world who had traveled to Edinburgh for Hogmanay and had a great night with them.
Immersing in Scottish culture was delightful. From savoring haggis (which tastes much better than the ingredient list might suggest) and ice-cold Irn-Bru to learning about Scottish history at the beautiful architecture of The National Museum of Scotland.
