Marymas Bannock was originally known as Lammas Bannock.
Lammas Bannock eventually was assimilated into Christianity, and Marymas Bannock was made in honour of the Virgin Mary on the 15th August, the Feast Day of Mary (“Feill Moire” in Scottish.)
The Marymas Bannock would be made from grain gathered that day, and would be cooked over a fire.
The father would take the bannock, break it up, and give a piece to each of his family in order of age. The family would then sing a song to Mary, walking clockwise around the fire.
The ashes from the fire were then scattered in the fields.
Language Notes
The Feast Day of Mary is also known as The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or Marymass, when Mary was taken up into heaven.
Marymas Bannock was called in Scottish “Moilean Moire”, meaning the “fatling of Mary” (sic).
