As I mentioned in ‘A Change of Perspective’, historically the New Year (Hogmanay1) is a big event in Scotland, and I love the celebrations.
Edinburgh and other Scottish cities and towns hold large celebrations, usually with processions, often including fire. Stonehaven holds a fireball procession at New Year, with around 40 people whirling fireballs. The origin is believed to be linked to the Winter Solstice. The swinging fireballs represent the sun, purifying the world by burning away the evil spirits before the new year. To see the Stonehaven fireball procession from 2015, click here.
One of Scotland's oldest traditions is that of first-footing. The first person to cross their foot over the threshold of a house after midnight on 1 January will influence the year ahead. There are rules. The ‘first-foot’ should:
be a man. Preferably someone who will bring good luck and prosperity to the household.
not be in the house at midnight. If he is part of a house party, he is chucked out just before midnight to shiver in the cold, before knocking on the front door as the first-foot.
be tall, dark & handsome. I think the tall & handsome bit was made up by some wifie2 but he must be dark haired, so he won’t be confused with a Viking3.
bring gifts. Whisky, so you will always have a dram4. Coal (or wood) so you will always have a fire to keep warm, and bread so you will always have something to eat.
“Lang may yer lum reek!” is a traditional Scottish toast at Hogmanay.
Every house must have a first foot, and the Scots take this very seriously. They even have an extra bank (public) holiday on 2 January, to make sure the job gets done. However, on Hogmanay (31 Dec / 1 Jan), everyone who enters your house is considered to be a first-foot, even if they are not the first.
In my childhood in the 1970s, in the Highlands of Scotland, fifty miles from a city, there were two ways to first-foot. Either you stayed home and welcomed first-footers, or you went out and became the first-foot. If you stayed home, then you entertained a series of visitors and plied them with drink & food. If you were a visiting first-footer then you carried a bag with whisky, so you could treat your hosts to a dram (and perhaps fortify yourself while travelling between houses). After midnight the travelling first-footers did not carry coal or bread, since that would take up vital room in the bag that was needed for the whisky.
Some stalwart fellows roamed the countryside first-footing for days, until they ran out of houses to visit, petrol, or whisky. Some were gone for a week, and some had to be searched for by their families.
In those days there were very few drink driving laws, and the police often ignored them at Hogmanay. There were only a few people driving, and they were locals who knew the roads well, so most sensible people knew to stay home. But in the decades since, the laws have rightly been tightened, and first-footing in the countryside as it was in my childhood has vanished.
The local postman probably still ensures all the first-footing is completed, going to all the remote houses, even if they do not have any post. I am sure he is very careful, but I expect he has a few drams along the way.
What are your traditions around New Year? Do you continue the celebrations in the same way your parents did?
Robert Burns (1759 – 1796), is often called Scotland’s national poet. He wrote beautiful poems and songs. But even in the 18th Century, there was concern that traditional Scottish songs were being forgotten. Burns and others travelled around Scotland to meet locals to write down their songs & lyrics, contributing to several published collections of Scottish folk songs.
Burns sent a copy of a song to his publisher with the remark that it was "an old song of the olden times, and which has never been in print, nor even in manuscript until I took it down from an old man”. The song was Auld Lang Syne. It is thought that Burns added to the lyrics. Auld Lang Syne is often sung at Hogmanay. For those of you who only know the first verse - here are the complete lyrics5.
Auld Lang Syne
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, and auld lang syne? Chorus: For auld lang syne, my jo, for auld lang syne, we'll tak' a cup o' kindness yet, for auld lang syne. And surely ye'll be your pint-stoup! and surely I'll be mine! And we'll tak' a cup o’ kindness yet, for auld lang syne. Chorus We twa hae run about the braes, and pou'd the gowans fine; But we've wander'd mony a weary fit, sin' auld lang syne. Chorus We twa hae paidl'd in the burn, frae morning sun till dine; But seas between us braid hae roar'd sin' auld lang syne. Chorus And there's a hand, my trusty fiere! and gie's a hand o' thine! And we'll tak' a right gude-willie waught, for auld lang syne. Chorus
Don’t forget to open the front door to let the New Year in and open the back door to let the Old Year out. ‘Lang may yer lum reek’ or ‘long may your chimney have smoke’, is a wish that you will always have a warm & prosperous home.
Happy New Year to you all, and lang may yer lum reek! 🎉
Many thanks to Tim Cockburn for allowing me to use his wonderful painting of Auld Lang Syne in this article. Tim Cockburn is an artist and printmaker working in the historic harbour town of Pittenweem, Scotland. Tim is one of Scotland’s most distinctive artists. His subjects are scenes that are easily recognised from everyday life and events, capturing in exquisitely observed small details in his own inimitable style. Please visit Tim’s website to see more of his delightful paintings and prints. His reproductions are only £20.
Please Note: The picture of Auld Lang Syne by Tim Cockburn may not be reproduced for any reason whatsoever without the artist’s permission - copyright remains with the artist. Click here for Tim’s website and contact details. All other images in this article are in the public domain.
The origin of the word Hogmanay is uncertain. But it may be derived from hoguinané, (early 17th Century) from the Old French aguillanneuf, meaning last day of the year, or new year’s gift. Scotland and France had a close alliance for many years.
Wifie is the Doric (Aberdeenshire) word for any woman, though they usually they were wives.
From 793 onwards there were repeated raids by blond haired Vikings on the British Isles - usually with devastating consequences. The Scots have long memories, though the Vikings later colonised parts of Scotland, so they are now part of our ancestry.
A dram is a drink of whisky or other spirits.
English lyrics to Auld Lang Syne, or Days Long Ago:
Should old acquaintances be forgotten
And never be remembered?
Should old acquaintances be forgotten
and days long ago.
Chorus:
For days long ago, my dear,
For days long ago
We'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For days long ago!
And surely you'll have your pint tankard (beer)
And surely I'll have mine.
And we'll drink a cup of kindness yet
For days long ago.
We two have run about the hills
And pulled the daisies fine
But we've wandered many a weary mile
Since the days long ago.
We two have paddled in the stream
From morning sun till dinner-time
But the broad seas have roared between us
Since the days long ago.
And here's my hand, my trusty friend,
And give me your hand too,
And we will take an excellent good-will drink
For the days of long ago.
What a fascinating tradition! I love it. Sometimes I feel annoyed that my family lacks traditions, but then I remind myself that I can make that change...it just requires time and patience. At least I have small traditions for myself. Thank you for this 😊
Wonderful! Happy New Year!
In the old Russian tradition all the doors of the house a kept open a few minutes before the new year rings in in order to let the old year air out and begin anew.