When you walk down Weston’s Main Street in December—past the stone walls, flickering lanterns, and shop windows glowing with holiday warmth—it’s easy to forget you’re in Missouri at all. Our town, founded in the 1800s, carries echoes of the old world: the craftsmanship, the conviviality, the storytelling, and yes, even the culinary traditions that traveled across oceans with early settlers.

So it feels fitting that our first installment of Weston’s Window to the World begins in a place whose spirit quietly lives on here in town—Scotland.

Scotland’s Surprising Holiday Hero: The Brussels Sprout

Scotland’s love affair with the Brussels sprout runs deep. By the mid-1800s—around the very time Weston was carving its place along the Missouri River—Scottish farmers were harvesting sprouts by the cartload in late December. The vegetable thrived in the nation’s chilly, windswept climate, and families discovered that winter frosts made them sweeter.

Sprouts quickly became the pride of the holiday table. Victorian households, keen on elaborate Christmas feasts, embraced them wholeheartedly. And during the war years, when imported goods were scarce, sprouts remained steady, dependable, and wonderfully local. By then, the humble sprout wasn’t just a side dish—it was tradition.

A Touch of Scotland in Weston

While Weston is unmistakably American in charm, certain corners of our town whisper of Scottish heritage.

Take The Whiskey Snug and Celtic Ranch, where tartans, whisky lore, and Celtic hospitality intertwine. Walk inside and you could almost be stepping into a village pub in the Highlands—warm wood, friendly banter, and live music that carries the kind of stories Scotland is famous for.

Pair that atmosphere with Weston's 19th-century architecture and it’s easy to imagine Victorian holiday tables here resembling those in Edinburgh or Glasgow—complete with hearty roasts, good whisky, winter vegetables, and yes… Brussels sprouts.

Our shared founding century makes the connection even richer: as Scots were perfecting their Christmas sprout recipes, Weston’s pioneers were building a river port bustling with trade, tradition, and immigrant influences. The sprout, in its own funny way, belongs to both histories.

From Scotland’s Table to Yours: A Weston Holiday Favorite

So in honor of this unexpected cultural bridge—and the simple joys that make the holidays special—I’m sharing one of my personal go-to holiday recipes. It’s rustic, cozy, and pairs beautifully with a Pirtle red, a Holladay bourbon cocktail, or a dram from The Whiskey Snug.

✨ Bacon-Wrapped Brussels Sprouts with Balsamic Mayo ✨

Ingredients:

• Brussels sprouts
• Bacon strips
• Toothpicks
• Mayonnaise
• Balsamic vinegar (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Wrap each Brussels sprout in bacon and secure with a toothpick.
3. Roast for 20 minutes, or until the bacon is crisp and the sprouts are tender.
4. Mix mayonnaise and balsamic vinegar to taste for a tangy, rich dipping sauce.
5. Serve warm and enjoy—a perfect blend of Scottish tradition and Weston comfort.

Through Weston's Window…

Each month, Weston’s Window to the World will explore how our small town is connected, in surprising ways, to global histories, foods, traditions, and cultures. Because Weston may be small—but its roots and its heart stretch far beyond the bluffs.

And as Scotland has shown us, sometimes the most meaningful traditions are the ones that survived because they were hardy, humble, and shared around a warm table.