Discover the fascinating history of the banning of Christmas in Scotland, a centuries-long prohibition driven by religious and political upheaval. From the Reformation to its revival as a public holiday in 1958, explore how traditions like Hogmanay rose to prominence and how ancient pagan practices still influence Scottish celebrations today.

Rebecca Lever is a proud MacFarlane on her 101-year old grandmother's side. Recently Rebecca, traveled with her husband to the MacFarlane homelands of Loch Lomond to share her heritage and family history with him. The trip inspired her to write "MacFarlane", a Clan MacFarlane poem that beautifully captures the essence of our clan spirit. In these verses, she paints a vivid picture of a clanswoman,  buried on a remote island, her fate intertwined with a harsh and unfeeling world. The verses are a testament to the endurance of the MacFarlane legacy. Lever's words resonate with the clan's history, and through her verse, we honour the resilience of our ancestors and pay tribute to their memory.

We look back at the life of religious reformer John Knox, one of Scotland's most divisive figures, 450 years after his death. A Scottish reformer whose pervasive influence is still felt, there is no doubting John Knox was the dominant figure in the Church of Scotland's establishment, but little is known of his early life.