If you hear sleigh bells ringing within the next week, there’s a good chance they might belong to Mark Stewart Cassidy.

For the past two years, Scottish-born Cassidy, a Clinton resident, has been donning the signature red suit and white beard of Santa Claus during the holiday season.

It all began in 2021, when the Langley Chamber of Commerce was searching for Whidbey Island residents to play the big jolly man and Cassidy volunteered for the role.

This year, Cassidy has been making house calls all around the island dressed as Santa, and even has some availability on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to stop by. During a half hour session, he arrives with a basket of candy canes and tangerines for conversation and photo opportunities. In some cases, he might even deliver gifts.

But he won’t come down the chimney, his wife, Victoria Karno, said with a laugh.

Over the past couple of years, Karno has observed that children often have no trouble understanding Cassidy’s thick Scottish accent.

Cassidy is no stranger to getting into costume. In fact, the first time the couple met, he was dressed as a lord of a Scottish manor in full period attire. For many years he wore a kilt to work in the Bay Area.

“Everyone dresses up to some extent,” he said. “To me, it’s not that different.”

He finds the children of Whidbey Island to be good conversationalists with a sense of humor. They ask questions about reindeer and upkeep.

“Kids from rural areas, they always want to know about animals,” Cassidy said. “They try to catch you out but they sort of go along with it.”

He’s listened to many kids share their Christmas wishes. The most popular toy last year was Lego sets, but some asked for fishing rods and one little girl wished for the health of her kitten. Another kid, perhaps an aspiring musician, said he wanted a synthesizer.

“I nearly said to him, ‘You’re too young to have a synthesizer,’” Cassidy said with a laugh.

Growing up in Dunblane, a small town northeast of Glasgow, Cassidy remembers decorating for Christmas and celebrating the holiday. But for many adults back then, it wasn’t an official day off.

“It was a rural district as well,” he said. “Neighbors would drop in but then they had to leave to milk a cow.”

A little over three years ago, Cassidy and Karno moved to Whidbey Island from San Francisco.

“There’s something about it – the ruralness felt a lot like Scotland,” Karno said.

Cassidy has been present as Santa Claus at the Lighting of Langley in both 2021 and 2022. He also plays in the Whidbey Island Orchestra dressed as Kris Kringle. He spent a lot of time hearing wishes while working with the Langley Chamber of Commerce last year.

“What I remember is he came away so touched, truly touched, by these kids coming up to him,” Karno said. “The admiration and adoration, just looking up at Santa, I think that’s really why he kept wanting to do it.”

Booking and pricing inquiries can be directed to Karno by calling 415-310-7902 or by emailing vkarno2002@yahoo.com.