Celebrate, reminisce and bring in the new year! Hogmanay is the most important date in the Scottish calendar – celebrated like nowhere else on earth.
So, here’s our WeeBox guide to celebrating like a true Scot!
Share Hogmanay with your nearest and dearest – its all about being with the ones you love and having a party to end all parties. Of course, there are a number of traditions to observe and which make it really special and nostalgic as a Scot.
Redding the House: Have a good clean out to ready the house for the New Year! In days gone by, sweeping out the fireplace was very important and there was a skill in reading the ashes, the way some people read tea leaves.
First-footing: This is where the first person to enter the house after midnight – ideally a tall, dark man – brings gifts such as a black bun or coal. First-footing is supposed to affect the household’s fortunes for the coming year, so make sure you have a tall, dark pal to hand! It’s also a great excuse to get round to your neighbours and wish them well (something many now rarely do!)
Singing Auld Lang Syne: at the end of the night, accompanied by the linking of arms and singing with great gusto! Be prepared, even for the second verse (which most people realise they don’t know!) with the words below:
Auld Lang Syne
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And old lang syne?
Chorus
For auld lang syne, my dear
For auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
And surely you’ll buy your pint cup!
And surely I’ll buy mine!
And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have run about the slopes,
And picked the daisies fine;
But we’ve wandered many a weary foot,
Since auld lang syne.
Chorus
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till dine;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since auld lang syne.
Chorus
And there’s a hand my trusty friend!
And give me a hand o’ thine!
And we’ll take a right good-will draught,
For auld lang syne.
Chorus
And, finally eat, drink and be merry this Hogmanay!
All the best for 2017 from WeeBox
