Scottish New Year
"Lang may yer lum reek!" Traditional.
As you may know, the New Year in Scotland is taken very seriously. Whilst everyone in the UK has a public holiday on 1st January, the Scots have additional holiday on the 2nd January. This extra day off is in recognition of how enthusiastically the Scots celebrate the New Year, making it difficult for them to recover in time for work on the 2nd January.
So, if you are going to celebrate New Year like a Scot, what should you do?
Preparation
Like many cultures, the Scots view the New Year, known as Hogmanay1 in Scotland, as a fresh start. Therefore Scots clean the house, complete household chores, and pay the bills before the end of December. After that, they decide how they will celebrate over the New Year. They may attend a public celebration, or celebrate at home.
Attend public celebrations
Edinburgh and other Scottish cities and towns hold large celebrations, usually with processions, that often include fire. Stonehaven holds a fireball procession at New Year, with around 40 people whirling fireballs. The origin of this tradition is believed to be linked to the Winter Solstice. The swinging fireballs symbolise the sun, purifying the world by burning away evil spirits, before the start of the new year. To watch the Stonehaven fireball procession from 2015, click here.
Celebrating at home
If you choose to stay at home you should prepare your house. Of course, it is now clean and tidy, but ensure you have enough food & drink for guests (although they will probably bring some drinks with them). At midnight you should open the back door (to let the old year out), and the front door (to welcome the new year in).
Another custom is First Footing, one of Scotland's oldest traditions. First Footing refers to the first person to step over the threshold of a house after midnight on New Years Eve. It is believed that the identity of this person may influence the fortunes of the household in the coming year.
There are rules. The ‘first-foot’ should:
be someone who is happy and prosperous, and therefore will bring the same good luck to the household.
not be in the house at midnight. If s/he is part of a house party, they are hurried out just before midnight, and left to shiver in the cold. After midnight they knock on the front door as the first-foot.
traditionally be a tall, dark & handsome man. I think the tall & handsome bit was made up by some wifie2 but they must have dark hair, so they won’t be confused with a Viking3.
bring gifts. Whisky, so the household will always have a dram4. Coal (or wood) to represent always having a fire to keep warm, and bread so they will always have plenty to eat.
If you do not have a first foot at midnight, you should consider the first person to cross your threshold in the new year as your ‘first foot’. They should be welcomed and offered a drink - alcoholic or not depending on the circumstances (which never include the time of day).
Auld Lang Syne is frequently sung at New Year celebrations. It is a very old Scottish song, that was transcribed by Robert Burns who added some of the lyrics. However, the tune and some of the words song are from a much earlier date. This link leads to more information about the song, with all the verses.
Many thanks to Tim Cockburn for allowing me to use his wonderful painting of Auld Lang Syne in this article5. 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 around £20.
Slàinte Mhath!
Slàinte Mhath! is a toast in Scots, it is pronounced Slanj-a-va.
I hope you have a wonderful Hogmanay. I send you & yours best wishes for your health, happiness & prosperity in 2025, with a Scots blessing, "lang may yer lum reek!6"
I want to express my gratitude to all of my subscribers & readers. You have helped to create a wonderful community on Substack. I appreciate your support, and having an engaging platform to share my work. Thank you also for all of your comments; feedback truly benefits the writer.
I will now be taking a couple of weeks off, but I will return later in January.
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 were wives.
From 793 onwards there were repeated raids on the British Isles by blond haired Vikings - usually with devastating consequences. The Scots have long memories. Although the Vikings later colonised parts of Scotland, so they are now part of our ancestry.
A dram is a small amount of liquid, about 35 mls, but is more generally known in Scotland as the name for a drink of whisky.
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.
"Lang may yer lum reek!" ‘Long may your chimney have smoke’, which shows that you have fuel for the fire, and are therefore prosperous.
Happy New Year, Kate!
Have a Happy New Year, Kate!