Do They Celebrate Thanksgiving in Scotland? Here's the Truth

Do they celebrate Thanksgiving in Scotland? No, Thanksgiving isn’t a traditional holiday in Scotland. It’s not on the calendar, and you won’t find people rushing for turkey deals like in the US.

But that doesn’t mean Scots ignore the season of gratitude. In fact, Scotland has its own way of celebrating the end of harvest — with hearty meals, local gatherings, and age-old festivals like “Harvest Home”. So while the word “Thanksgiving” might not be in the mix, the spirit? Aye, it’s alive and well.

Let’s dive into what really happens in Scotland around this time of year.

Thanksgiving might make you think of golden roast turkeys, mashed potatoes drowning in gravy, and folks slipping into food comas on the couch — and honestly, you're not far off.

At its heart, Thanksgiving is a holiday about gratitude. In the US and Canada, families and friends gather to celebrate the blessings of the past year, often with a lavish feast. Think cozy autumn vibes, long tables full of food, and someone always forgetting the cranberry sauce.

Thanksgiving is most famously celebrated in the United States (on the fourth Thursday of November) and in Canada (on the second Monday of October). But it’s not just those two — countries like Saint Lucia and Liberia have their own versions too. And in places like Brazil, Germany, and even Norfolk Island in Australia, similar harvest-style celebrations pop up during the fall season.

Originally, it all started as a way to say thanks for the harvest. In the US, the story goes that back in the early 1600s, Pilgrims and Indigenous people shared a meal to celebrate a successful growing season. Over time, this turned into a national holiday, complete with parades, football games, and pumpkin pie.

In Canada, Thanksgiving has roots in European harvest festivals, and while the details differ, the spirit is the same: food, family, and giving thanks.

Let’s rewind a bit. The idea of Thanksgiving goes back to the early 1600s in what is now the United States. After a harsh winter, a group of English settlers, the Pilgrims, survived their first year with the help of Indigenous peoples. To mark a successful harvest, they came together and shared a meal. Many people see this as the beginning of what would later become Thanksgiving.

Of course, it didn’t become a national holiday right away. It took a couple of centuries (and probably a lot of pie) before Abraham Lincoln officially declared it a national day of thanks in 1863.

In Canada, Thanksgiving has a slightly different origin. It grew out of European harvest festivals and is celebrated earlier, in October, when the harvest season ends sooner up north.

Thanksgiving is primarily a North American holiday, celebrated mainly in the United States and Canada. Its origins are linked to the early European settlers who held harvest festivals to give thanks for a successful harvest.

In contrast, in Scotland, the celebration of Thanksgiving is not part of traditional customs nor is it recognized as a national holiday. The Scottish is more on Christmas and Hogmanay (New Year's Eve) as major celebrations.

Although Thanksgiving in Scotland isn’t a recognised tradition, the feeling behind it is still easy to find. Gratitude, community, and sharing a good meal are values that run deep in Scottish culture.

One example is Harvest Home, a celebration that has been part of rural Scotland for generations. These gatherings usually happened in late September or early October, after the harvest was done. Villagers would come together to eat, enjoy music, and celebrate the end of a hard-working season.

Here’s where things get interesting. While Thanksgiving in Scotland isn’t a tradition, some people do choose to celebrate it—especially those with ties to the U.S. or who’ve lived abroad.

You might find a few Scottish homes in November filled with roast turkey, stuffing, and even pumpkin pie. It’s not common, but it’s growing. Some embrace it as a fun way to try something new, while others see it as a chance to gather with loved ones and reflect on what they’re thankful for.

So, do they celebrate Thanksgiving in Scotland? Not quite. It’s not a holiday you’ll see on the calendar, and most Scots won’t be carving a turkey in late November.

But the heart of it is still here. Sharing food, spending time with loved ones, and taking a moment to feel thankful — these are things Scots do well, no matter the season.

If you’re in Scotland around this time of year, maybe you’ll create your own version of Thanksgiving. It could be a cozy dinner, a walk through golden autumn leaves, or just raising a glass with friends.