What is Hogmanay?
Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of New Year’s Eve, marked by fireworks, street parties and traditional customs. The festivities begin in the days leading to 31st December, building up to spectacular midnight events that welcome in the new year. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is one of the world’s largest new year’s events, drawing thousands of revellers each year.
Scottish Hogmanay and new year traditions
Scotland’s Hogmanay has a long history and incorporates a mix of ancient traditions. Its origins may trace back to ancient Norse winter solstice celebrations, while also including elements from the Gaelic festival of Samhain. Historically, Christmas was not widely observed in Scotland, following a ban in the 1600s. This made Hogmanay the primary winter celebration for centuries. Traditional Scottish new year customs include:
Fires and fireworks – Fire is symbolic in Hogmanay celebrations, representing purification and warding off evil spirits. In some Scottish communities, special fire festivals and torch-lit processions are held to mark the new year. Fireworks are popular in many towns and cities, as crowds gather at midnight to watch the displays.
Auld Lang Syne – At the stroke of midnight on Hogmanay, people join hands and sing Auld Lang Syne. The lyrics comes from an old Scottish poem, which was adapted by the Scots bard, Robert Burns and set to a traditional tune. The song is about friendship and the passing of time, which makes it fitting for the occasion.
Street parties – Street parties are traditional outdoor gatherings where communities gather in the streets to celebrate and share food and drink. In modern times, this concept of togetherness has evolved into large-scale events. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay street party, which began in the 1990s, is one of the most famous in the world!
First-footing – The first person to enter a home after midnight is known as the “first-foot” and is considered to bring luck. Traditionally, a tall and dark-haired man is seen as the luckiest first-foot. After the midnight bells, some Scottish families still visit friends and neighbours in their homes to keep this tradition alive, bringing gifts with them, for example coal for warmth, or food and drink such as shortbread and whisky.
Redding the hoose – This is an old tradition where Scots would clean their houses thoroughly in the lead up to Hogmanay. It was seen as a way of clearing away the old year and preparing for a fresh new start.
Hogmanay food and drink – A dram of whisky is an essential part of Hogmanay, raising a glass to toast good health, happiness and prosperity for the new year. A communal cup, known as a quaich, might be filled with whisky and passed from person to person for each to take a sip, as part of the festivities. Black bun, a dense fruitcake wrapped in pastry, is traditionally enjoyed with a dram. Then on New Year’s Day, it’s customary to have a hearty family meal of steak pie with neeps and tatties.
New Year’s Day dooking – New year’s dooking (dipping) is the custom of plunging into cold water on the first day of the new year. It’s a relatively new tradition, which started with Edinburgh’s Loony Dook in 1986. There are now several of these annual dooking events, which are held on Scotland’s bays and beaches.
So, that’s how we do New Year’s here in Scotland. Find out what’s happening on Hogmanay in Edinburgh with this December guide.
