All about Hogmanay - Scotland’s New Year’s Eve

All about Hogmanay - Scotland’s New Year’s Eve

Celebrating the new year is a big deal in Scotland! Learn more about the traditions of Hogmanay, how to host your own Scottish-inspired New Year’s Eve celebration, and where to celebrate if you’re lucky enough to be visiting Scotland for the holidays.

What Is Hogmanay?

Many countries across the globe have their own special way of celebrating New Year’s Eve, but no place commemorates the arrival of the new year as uniquely as Scotland does with the celebration of Hogmanay.

The term Hogmanay, which is what the Scottish call New Year’s Eve, has a mysterious origin. Some say that it comes from the Vikings’ celebration of the winter solstice, others say it comes from hoginane, the French word for “gala day.” While where Hogmanay got its name may be unclear, what is certain is that it’s been a part of Scotland’s culture for centuries as one of the country’s most treasured holidays.

Whenever this significant Scottish holiday comes around, there’s always an abundance of incredible festivities to attend, street parties, firework celebrations, and timeless traditions to partake in.

Popular Hogmanay Traditions

Gift Giving

A great Hogmanay tradition is to be the first person to show up at a neighbor’s or friend’s home at the start of the new year, bearing symbolic gifts such as shortbread, a silver coin, a lump of coal, and whisky. These items represent food, prosperity, and warmth for the house. The whisky, Scotch of course, is used to toast the new year.

First-Footing

To ensure good luck for your household, the first foot that should step into your home when the clock reaches midnight on Hogmanay should belong to a dark-haired male. This tradition is believed to be a throwback to the times of Vikings, when a blonde person showing up at your door with an axe meant that you were in danger. The first-footer that enters your home should also bring the symbolic gifts mentioned above, to further ensure good fortune for the new year.

Singing “Auld Lang Syne”

Once the clock reaches midnight, “Auld Lang Syne,” a song from a poem written by Scottish Poet Robert Burns, is traditionally sung at Hogmanay parties all over Scotland to bid farewell to the old year.

Fire Celebrations

Fire celebrations, such as firework displays, bonfires, and torch-lit processions, not only symbolize the sun returning to land but also a way to fight off evil spirits in the dark, giving the new year a fresh start.

Hosting Your Own Hogmanay Celebration

Bring the spirit of Hogmanay to your own New Year’s Eve celebration with these suggestions below:

• Decoration: Hang tartan banners, Scottish flags, and thistle decorations. Use elements like candles and fairy lights to create a cozy and festive atmosphere.
• Food: If serving dinner, consider traditional Scottish dishes like Cullen skink or Scotch pie for a festive feast. For appetizers, offer a selection of Scottish cheeses with Walker’s Oat Crackers and Scottish Biscuits for Cheese. For dessert, an assortment of shortbread or any of our Scottish Classics would provide a perfect ending to your feast.
• Scottish Music & Dancing: Create a playlist featuring Scottish artists like the Proclaimers and Dougie MacLean, as well as traditional Scottish folk music. You could even hire a local Scottish dance instructor to give a fun lesson to your guests.

• Sing “Auld Lang Syne” & Give Toasts: At the stroke of midnight, lead your guests in singing “Auld Lang Syne” and encourage them to make toasts and share hopes and wishes for the coming year.

• First-Footing: Incorporate this tradition into your celebration by having a designated first-footer carry small, prepared gifts for your guests through the door right after midnight. Walker’s Snack Packs are a perfect addition to your gift package!

For Those Lucky to be Celebrating in Scotland

Since Hogmanay carries such a deep cultural significance in Scotland, it’s easy to find regional festivities where the Scottish New Year's Eve is celebrated in a grand fashion and classic Hogmanay traditions are embraced.

One of the largest Hogmanay celebrations is the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party in Edinburgh, Scotland. Each year, Edinburgh hosts this massive celebration on Princes Street in New Town. To celebrate the arrival of the new year, a myriad of live bands perform, and at midnight, around 40,000 people gather on the street for an unforgettable fireworks display.

Celebrating Hogmanay with stunning displays of fire, the Stonehaven Fireballs parade in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is not to be missed. Those who attend get to see the amazing sight of participants swinging balls of fire to ring in the arrival of the new year.

There’s also a fantastic Hogmanay celebration to experience in Dufftown, Speyside, which isn’t far from Walker’s hometown of Aberlour. After the annual Hogmanay cèilidh that happens at a nearby hotel, people gather in The Square to enjoy complimentary drams of whisky and our very own all-butter shortbread—all while bells ring in the new year.

Wherever you celebrate, Walker’s wishes you a happy Hogmanay and an even happier New Year. From our family to yours.