Scotland’s Cool-Weather ‘Coorie’ Culture

Denmark has ‘hygge,’ and Scotland has ‘coorie.’ Eons of winds off the North Sea and a bracing climate have given both countries enticing traditions for staying cozy and cheerful year-round. And if you travel to Scotland outside the sunny summer months, you can immerse yourself in Scottish nature and elements of Scottish culture you can only truly appreciate when there’s a chill in the air.

Like the Danish ‘hygge’, the closest word in English to the Scottish Gaelic word ‘coorie’ may be ‘cozy.’ It refers to a way of life that promotes a sense of comfort, warmth, and contentment in intimate settings where you can escape the cold weather or even the world at large and focus on the people closest to you.

In Scotland, coorie encompasses embracing your natural surroundings with outdoor activity, then warming up indoors — physical warmth, like curling up with a warm drink by a fire—as well as emotional warmth, which can be found in the welcoming nature of Scottish hospitality and traditions.

As you can see from the adorable photo from the ‘Coos in Cardies’ series by Visit Scotland, even the ‘coos’ have ‘coorie’!

Here’s how you can experience coorie in Scotland:

Get kitted out for Coorie: Wool is the word here, and Scotland has made its work with wool among the most distinctive in the world of sheep-farming cultures. Treat yourself to a tartan blanket (if you have Scottish ancestry, research your family tartan and take home a warming piece of your heritage!), a Fair Isle sweater, or even a hat and mittens in the colors of the Scottish heather and countryside.

Embrace Nature: Scotland's landscapes, particularly in remote areas, offer a peaceful retreat for reflection, quiet enjoyment, and even meditation. From nature reserves, remote beaches and loch-side trails to riverside gorges and even the peak of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles for climbers to conquer, the natural wonders of Scotland are a source of inspiration and reflection, as they change from season to season throughout the year.

Find a Cozy Highland Cottage or Bothy: Seek out a remote cottage or traditional stone bothy in the Scottish Highlands or on the islands. Many offer breathtaking views of nature, and there’s nothing quite like warming up with a fire after a hike.

Enjoy a Warm Scottish Pub: Scotland’s local pubs are the perfect places for experiencing coorie. They often feature crackling fires, hearty food, and locals keen to share stories. You may not really have experienced true Scotland until you’ve warmed up in a traditional pub in a rural Scottish village.

Indulge in Scottish Comfort Food: Think rich, warming dishes like Cullen skink (smoked haddock soup), haggis with neeps and tatties, or a delicious Scotch broth. These meals are perfect on a cold day and will help you embrace the feeling of coorie.

Relax by a Fire: It goes without saying that an open fire warms the heart as well as the hearth. Many traditional Scottish inns, pubs and B&Bs, or guesthouses, feature open fires. Nothing beats the comfort of sitting by a fire with a hot drink in hand, reading a book, or chatting with fellow travelers.

Sip a Wee Dram: It also goes without saying that the most traditional warming drink in Scotland is one of its famous whiskies, from the Gaelic ‘Water of Life.’

Immerse Yourself in More Local Scottish Traditions: Join in a ceilidh, a traditional Scottish dance party, or enjoy a night of storytelling and music in a local pub. The warmth of the people and simple shared cultural experience are living coorie to its fullest.

In essence, coorie is all about finding comfort in both your surroundings and in the people you meet. It’s about embracing warmth and connection, and taking pleasure in the simple things. You may find this ultimate expression of warm Scottish culture in the coolest months of the year.