Hogmanay - Celebrating New Year's Eve in Scotland

Buy at AllPosters.com

The song Auld Lang Syne was adapted by Scottish poet Robert Burns from an even older ballad dating from the 1500s or even earlier. It was later given a musical accompaniment, to become the song we all recognise today.

'Auld Lang Syne' means 'old long ago' or more literally 'old long since'.

The lyrics to the first verse and the chorus of the song are as follows:

Should old acquaintances be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?

[Chorus]
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld Lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!

The remaining verses of this song and the original poem can be found on the website of the Robert Burns World Federation.

The Scottish custom is to cross the arms and join hands for the final verse only, although the song is more commonly sung with arms crossed for all verses.

Buy at AllPosters.com

First footing is a Scottish tradition that involves the first visitor after midnight exchanging gifts of food and drink with the host - to include whisky, shortbread and fruit cake. Traditionally, this list also included a lump of coal, and salt. This custom would bring luck in the coming year.

Tradition has it that the first foot should be a tall, dark male who has not been in that house previously that evening.

In modern times, the practice is more likely to involve visitors arriving on New Year's Day or the official national holiday of 2 January, and receiving hospitality from their hosts. Whisky and other alcoholic beverages are commonly part of this.

Several customs particular to local areas of Scotland also persist, including the swinging of fireballs in Stonehaven and burning juniper branches in the Highlands to protect the house. Hogmanay celebrations in St Andrews would include the bakers making cakes for the town's children, and the ancient town of Falkland, also in Fife on the East coast of Scotland, was the scene for a torchlit procession up the local hill (source Wikipedia).

Edinburgh Castle, at the centre of the Scottish capital city, has for many years been the focal point of the nation's Hogmanay celebrations. The Hogmanay Street Party is a world-famous event that attracts thousands each year, with tickets greatly sought after. The street party is in fact just one of a series of events that also includes torchlight processions (as seen in the picture in the introduction).

The televised event includes dancing to live bands and culminates in a glorious fireworks display.

Image shared by theedinburghblog on flickr.

• Whisky ('whisky' is the Scots spelling, some just call whisky from Scotland 'Scotch'; 'whiskey' is correct spelling for the Irish variety)


• Whisky glasses to toast your friends and loved ones


• Something to eat - shortbread is a great choice, or why not try some whisky fruit cake (also a traditional favorite)


• Plenty of music including the traditional bagpipes and drums playing old Scottish airs

Buy at AllPosters.com

Vintage New Year's Greetings by xmasstore