Scotland loves a good superstition. Folk here will throw salt over their shoulder, avoid lone magpies like they owe them money, and wouldn’t dream of seeing in the New Year without a first-footer stepping through the door (preferably one that doesn’t bring bad luck with them).
But it’s not just old folklore. If you want to see superstition alive and kicking, head to a football match. Football fans? A different breed altogether when it comes to rituals. Lucky scarves, cursed turnstiles, and punters who refuse to place a bet until they’ve seen two magpies together—you name it, they believe it. And here in Dundee, where the two closest rival stadiums in world football sit practically on top of each other, superstition is practically an extra man on the pitch.
So, whether you’re betting on the Dundee Derby, having a pint before a match, or just wandering the streets of the city, keep your wits about you—because in Scotland, luck can turn faster than a referee deciding on a penalty.
New Year in Scotland isn’t just about fireworks and questionable dance moves at 2 AM. There’s a rule: whoever crosses your doorstep first after the bells needs to be the right kind of person. Ideally, a tall, dark-haired man carrying whisky, bread, and coal—because apparently, nothing says “good luck” like an unexpected visitor turning up with a snack and a lump of fuel.
And funnily enough, football fans aren’t all that different. Some Dundee supporters refuse to step into the stadium without going through the exact same turnstile every time. Others will only put a bet on after having their ‘lucky’ pre-match pint at The Bank Bar. Coincidence? Maybe. But try telling that to a fan whose team just lost because they dared to switch pubs.
If you’re in Dundee for Hogmanay, head to Slessor Gardens for the big celebrations—or if you fancy testing your luck, walk into a pub just after midnight and see if anyone throws you back out the door.
If you see a single magpie on your way to the bookies, you might as well turn back. “One for sorrow” isn’t just a line in an old rhyme—it’s a very real reason for some folk to abandon a perfectly good betting slip.
Superstition says you need to salute the magpie or greet it with a “Morning, Mr. Magpie” to avoid a run of bad luck. Some people just wait until they see a second one, because two means joy—though if you’re wandering around Dundee staring at birds and muttering under your breath, don’t be surprised if people start giving you a wide berth.
For a solid chance of spotting a magpie, head up The Law Hill or over to Riverside Nature Park. And if you don’t see one? Well, that’s either very good or very bad, depending on how deep you are into this superstition thing.
We’ve all done it—gone to shake a little salt on the chips and ended up dumping half the container onto the table. In Scotland, that’s bad news. The devil himself is supposedly lurking over your left shoulder, just waiting for an opening. The only way to stop him? Grab a pinch and chuck it backwards—straight into his beady little eyes.
Now, imagine trying that in the middle of a busy pub before a Dundee Derby. Aye, exactly. But if you think spilling salt is bad, spilling your pint before a match is a disaster waiting to happen. Some fans reckon it means their team’s losing, no question. You’ll see them holding onto their drinks like they’re carrying the Scottish Cup itself.
If you want to tempt fate, grab a table at The Flame Tree Café, The Newport, or Forgan’s Broughty Ferry, knock over the salt, and see if your dining partner panics and starts throwing it around like a man possessed.
Football fans and lucky charms? It’s a package deal. Everyone’s got something they swear by—whether it’s a lucky scarf, a specific matchday routine, or refusing to bet against their own team, no matter how bad the football betting odds look.
Outside of football, there’s a Scottish belief that touching iron protects you from bad luck. It’s probably where the whole “touch wood” thing came from. Dundee’s got a few spots where you can try this out—McManus Galleries’ iron railings are a good bet, or if you’re extra cautious, head to Verdant Works and lay a hand on the old machinery. Some people even touch the iron plaques on the Tay Rail Bridge Memorial for good luck—because let’s be honest, when it comes to travel, we could all use a bit of extra luck.
If you think normal matchday superstitions are bad, you’ve never met a Dundee Derby fan. With Dens Park and Tannadice sitting 200 metres apart, the tension is unreal, and so are the matchday rituals.
Some fans will walk the long way round just to avoid passing their rival’s stadium before the match. Others won’t even consider betting on their own team—because if you bet against them and they win, you’ll feel like a traitor, but if you bet on them and they lose, it’s clearly your fault.
If you want to get stuck into the atmosphere, grab a pint at The Snug, The Fort, or The Pillars before the game. And if you see a fan pacing nervously outside the bookies, they’re probably just waiting for a second magpie to appear before even thinking about the latest football betting odds.
Maybe you think all this is nonsense. Maybe you’ll happily place a bet without checking for magpies, knock back a pint before kick-off, and walk straight past Tannadice on your way to Dens Park. Good for you. But when your team’s 2-0 down at halftime, don’t say you weren’t warned.
Dundee’s a city built on history, rivalry, and a fair bit of superstition. So, whether you’re here for a weekend of football, a bet on the big game, or just to see if you can make it through a meal without spilling salt, one thing’s for sure—you’ll never look at a magpie the same way again.
If you fancy testing your luck, book a trip, catch a game, and see if any of these old-school superstitions actually hold up. Or just find a local, ask them about their matchday rituals, and prepare for an answer that makes absolutely no sense—but sounds 100% serious.
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