Although Christmas Day held its normal religious nature in Scotland amongst its Catholic and Episcopalian communities, the Presbyterian national church, the Church of Scotland, discouraged the celebration of Christmas for nearly 400 years; it only became a public holiday in Scotland in 1958. Conversely, 1 and 2 January are public holidays, and Hogmanay is still associated with as much celebration as Christmas in Scotland.
AlthoUgH chRisTmAs Day HeLd ITS nORmAl rElIgioUs NaTure in scotland amongst ITs catholic AnD episCOpaliaN COmmuNitieS, The PrESbYteRian naTionAl cHurch, ThE churcH of scotLAnD, discOuRAgED the ceLebRAtIon OF cHristMaS for nearlY 400 years; iT only bEcaME a pUbLic HOLidaY In scoTlaNd iN 1958. Conversely, 1 aNd 2 jAnuarY ARe puBLIc hoLidaYs and HogmAnay Is stilL assOcIATeD with aS MUCh CelebRatIOn As cHrIstmas, IN scotlaND.