Hogmanay – A Very Scottish New Year

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I have spent New Years Eve in a few different places over the past 80+ years and I’ve discovered nobody celebrates the December 31 like the Scots. The tradition is pre-Christian era and it has been incorporated by the many occupying cultures over the centuries.

Hogmanay is a Scottish word for ‘Last Day Of The Year’. Originally it would have been a celebration of the Winter Solstice, rejoicing the fact that days will begin to get longer. Over the years as Christmas conveniently replaced Solstice as a mid-winter party and as the use of calendars took hold, the enterprising Clans grabbed the last week of December and made it their own. The torch-lit parades, bonfires and firework displays can get wild and crazy, and there are some deep rooted Pagan traditions in there too.

First Footing – The first person to enter a household after midnight on New Years Eve must bring gifts, such as coal; bread; salt; drink (usually Scotch) to bring good luck and prosperity to the occupants for the coming year.

Clean House – The house would be cleaned from top to bottom on New Years Eve, the ashes removed from the firegrate and a new fire laid, ready to light at midnight.

Decorated Herring – The fishing communities would decorate Herrings and carry them from house to house.

The Singing Of Auld Lang Syne – A traditional Scottish poem updated by Robert Burns in the 1700s and put to music. Auld Lang Syne means Old Long Since or Long long Ago. Old English stories would begin “Once Upon A Time . . .” old Scottish stories would begin “Auld Lang Syne.” The New Years Eve theme song is one of Scotland’s gifts to the world.

In many parts of Scotland, New Year’s Eve is culturally more significant than Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

Whatever you do this Hogmanay, be safe and a Very Happy New Year.

hogmanay a very scottish new year
The Scottish capital of Edinburgh knows how to throw a Hogmanay party,
they’ve been practicing for centuries


Haste ye back, we love you dearly,
Call again you’re welcome here.
May your days be free from sorrow,
And your friends be ever near.

May the paths o’er which you wander,
Be to you a joy each day.
Haste ye back we love you dearly,
Haste ye back on friendship’s way.

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Holte Ender

Holte Ender will always try to see your point of view, but sometimes it is hard to stick his head that far up his @$$.
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9 years ago

[…]  1|2|3|4|5|6 […]

Jess
13 years ago

Oh, I really like the tradition of having your home clean and the first footing thing. I may have to add the first footing thing to the rest of my customs I follow. I just put up our kadomatsu for bringing in the new year Japanese style for mom last night. I totally love all the different traditions I get to partake in due to my adopted mutt, heinz 57 makeup.

Oh and I’ll be gone starting tonight, for a week or so haven’t decided when I’ll come back, since school won’t start till the 17th. Tonight going to bring in the new year with Bill Maher and tomorrow an early flight to get to the beach and worship the sun gods in Mexico. See you all in a week or so, if I don’t talk to you before I leave tonight. Have a great time tonight, but please all of you stay safe.

13 years ago

I adore the Scots! Edinburgh is one of my most fav places’ to be … well of wyrd there ! They are pretty find blenders’ .. and that would be close to my heart. Happy New Year Alan. A much better, more gentle and much kinder new year to you my friend!

BigHarryH
13 years ago

Is this true or did you make it all up. Ha Ha.

Happy new year.

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