Historic day for Scottish druids, witches and shamans as pagans deliver address at Scottish Parliament for the first time

Pagan Linda Haggerstone will deliver Time for Reflection in front of MSPs in the Holyrood chamber for the first time

A pagan is to address the Scottish parliament in a historic day for druids, witches and shamans.

In a major step towards more mainstream recognition for paganism, a druid will deliver Time for Reflection in the chamber.

Reverend Linda Haggerstone is set to give the four-minute address which opens the weekly business on Tuesdays.

A pagan Beltane celebration in Edinburgh

In doing so, Rev Haggerstone – who once described how her grandmother influenced her path in life by ‘putting out saucers of milk for the fairies’ – will become the first pagan to give the address.

With an estimated 15,000 followers in Scotland, paganism is a loose collection of faiths with a range of beliefs including druidism, shamanism and the worship of Norse gods, as well as more ‘traditional’ witches who perform spells.

Holyrood’s invitation comes two years after the Scottish Pagan Federation (SPF) first said it would like one of its representatives to lead Time for Reflection, after what it said was years of persecution.

At the time, SPF presiding officer Steffy Von Scott said: ‘Fifty years ago you could still lose your job or livelihood, have your children taken away by social services or have a brick thrown through your window, just for being pagan.

'Today we have more approved celebrants than ever and more legal pagan weddings taking place in Scotland than those carried out by the Mormon or Jewish faith communities.’

Rev Haggerstone will give pagan address in parliament

Rev Haggerstone, 65, travelled the world experiencing different belief systems and trained to become a Buddhist nun before becoming a data analyst for the Scottish Government. She led the pagan prayer for the COP26 interfaith vigil in Glasgow in 2021.

The SPF wants paganism taught in schools alongside other belief systems.

MSPs already acquainted with their beliefs include Equalities Minister Emma Roddick, who wished pagans ‘a very happy Winter Solstice’.

Another important event for pagans is Beltane – from April 30 to May 1 – which celebrates the coming of summer. Rituals include leaping fires and dancing around the Maypole.