How the Scots Celebrate Hogmanay
Hogmanay in Scotland is characterized by a four to five day party, in celebration of the turning of the year. These famously wild New Year festivities include street parties, fireworks, and a wide range of entertainment. New Year is widely considered one of the biggest events in Scotland, with festivities taking place all over the country, and the biggest and most popular in the capital city of Edinburgh.
Aside from the massively celebratory parties, the bonfires, the firework displays and the excess of whisky - Scotland’s most famous beverage, there a number of interesting traditions that still take place all over Scotland to help ring in the New Year.
Redding the House
It has always been traditional (perhaps less so these days) to clean up the house for New Year. The whole house is tidied in preparation, while sweeping the fireplace is always crucial. It is known that the ash gathered in this process may be read in a similar way to tea leaves.
First Footing
After the turn of the year, it is customary for homeowners to welcome visitors with a glass of whisky and a littleshortbread. The first person to enter the house is said to bring good or bad luck to the residents over the coming year. It is said that if the first guest is dark and handsome, good luck is certain and that if he or she is redheaded, then the house should probably prepare for a great deal of misfortune.
Auld Lang Syne
All over the country, Scots gather together and recite Robert Burn’s famous version ofAuld Lang Syne. The fact that this famous Scottish poem has become a sort of New Year’s anthem remains a mystery, but it is still associated with this time of year all over the world. At Edinburgh’s Hogmanay party, everybody holds hands and sings what is reportedly the largest Auld Lang Syne recital in Scotland.
Fire Festivals
Fire is the centre of New Year celebrations in a number of places around Scotland, such as Stonehaven and Biggar, while playing a big part in Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. It is said that fire is used to help drive away all evil spirits that may harm the coming year. These fire festivals originate from Pagan or Viking customs.
There are few better places on earth to celebrate the New Year than Scotland. With the on-going desire to party hard, the best distilleries and alcoholic drinks in the world, and world-famous festivities that last until the dark has been chased away by the coming of day, it is no wonder that it is and will remain one of the most important celebrations in the country.
