Orchard Wassails are an ancient tradition of communities coming together to toast good health of people and fruit trees on the Twelfth Night after Christmas. This is to bless the trees in anticipation of a bountiful harvest. The word ‘wassail’ is from the Old Norse phrase ‘ves heill’ meaning to ‘be in good health’ or ‘be fortunate’.
Historically, Wassails have been more common in England but this living tradition of celebrating the orchard and waking the trees has found its way up to Scottish orchards including those in Edinburgh, Helensburgh and Kirkaldy.