Hogmanay the Scotttish new Year
Ever wondered where the tradition of New Year's resolutions came from? It originated with the Scottish festival of Hogmanay, their alternative to the `popish' Christmas, when families gathered to celebrate the birth of the New Year.Hogmanay is still celebrated in Scotland, where the Edinburgh celebrations attract tens of thousands of international visitors every year to see the torchlight procession through the streets of the city, the bonfire and fireworks and the many entertainment events that mark the occasion.On a humbler note, many old Hogmanay traditions are kept in the homes of the people. The most important of these is the `first foot'. It is believed that the household will have luck all year if the first person to set foot over the threshold after the clock strikes midnight on New Year's Eve is dark-haired. This probably dates back to Viking times, when blonde visitors were likely to arrive on your doorstep armed to the teeth!Some families arrange for a dark-haired family member to stand on the doorstep, with a bottle of whiskey and some food, until the clock strikes twelve, to make sure theirs is the `first foot'. The whiskey and food ensures the family will not go without during the coming year.A big bonfire and fireworks usually welcomes in the New Year, the bonfire being symbolic of the casting aside of anything associated with the old year that is no longer needed. That's where New Year resolutions come in. Hogmanay is a festival of renewal, out with the old and hopefully, in with all the promise of better times.It is traditional to clear up all your debts by New Year's Eve, so you can start fresh and unencumbered. The first day of the New Year is like the first page of a new ledger, and it must be clean and free of debts, both financial and otherwise. Since you owe it to yourself to improve your life and health, bad habits are `debts' which must also be shed.Even if the resolutions aren't kept, the intention must be there and everyone can sit back and enjoy traditional Hogmanay food and drink.Why not take a leaf out of the Scots' ledger and start the New Year on a positive note with these delicious Hogmanay treats.Scottish ShortbreadThis buttery treat will always be welcome!Cream 8 oz of butter with half a cup of caster sugar until soft and light. Add 2 cups of plain flour and half a cup of rice flour and work into a smooth dough. Roll out into a round and press into a greased pie dish or shallow cake tin. Decorate the edge of the shortbread by pressing your thumb into the pastry. Mark into eight wedges with a knife (do not cut all the way through) and bake in a slow oven for 40-50 minutes.Present this gift on a pretty plate, tied with a bow.Atholl BroseA delicious drink that will bring New Year Cheer!Soak half a cup of oatmeal in half a cup of water for an hour then strain the oatmeal through a fine sieve, squeezing out as much of the liquid as you can. Add cup of pure honey (heather honey is best, of course) to the oatmeal milk and stir well. Add two cups of finest Scots whiskey and serve in punch cups.
Enjoy Hogmanay!
