Some parts of the UK have not yet celebrated Christmas due to a tradition that dates back to the 19th century.

Foula is known as one of the most isolated islands in the United Kingdom, located in the Shetland Islands. While most of the UK is busy with the post-Christmas clean up and decorating for New Year's Eve, the small community on Foula will not be celebrating for a while longer. This is because they follow the old Julian calendar, with Christmas falling on January 6 and New Year's on January 12.
The island, home to approximately 30 residents, has a strong Norse tradition that is reflected in their folklore, music, and special festivities. In fact, Foula was the last place in the world where the Norn language, a form of old Norse, was spoken until it died out in 1800. Each year, the community comes together in one house to celebrate Christmas, exchanging gifts and greetings.
One islander explained, "It is not just a part of our tradition, but of the world's. It is everyone else who changed, not us. We are not unique in this, as other parts of the world, like areas of Russia, still follow the old Julian calendar." Despite being part of the Shetland Islands, located north of mainland Scotland, Foula has its own unique customs and way of life.
The Gregorian calendar, named after Pope Gregory XIII, is the most widely used civil calendar and was introduced in October 1582. The rest of Great Britain adopted it in 1752, but Foula remained loyal to the old Julian calendar. This is also the case for Ukrainian Orthodox Christians who traditionally followed the Julian calendar for Christmas, but last year celebrated on December 25 for the first time.
Foula lies 16 miles west of mainland Shetland and 100 miles north of Scotland. Despite its remote location, the island has made strides in terms of modern amenities. It only gained access to running water in 1982 and full electricity in 1984, thanks to a diesel generator. Today, the island uses a renewable energy system, primarily solar power, with diesel as a backup.
The island's isolation and unpredictable weather conditions have made it a challenging place to visit. A previous attempt by a Church of Scotland minister to reach Foula for a Christmas service had to be abandoned after three failed attempts. Foula, which translates to "bird island" in old Norse, was also the setting for the film The Edge of the World. The nearby Shaalds of Foula have also been the site of a famous shipwreck, when the RMS Oceanic crashed there. Despite its remoteness, Foula holds a special place in the hearts of its inhabitants and continues to maintain its unique traditions and way of life.

[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]