New Year breaks in Scotland – the best choice?
Why choose a New Year break in Scotland? No other country celebrates the New Year with quite as much passion and celebration as Scotland. Hogmanay in Scotland Hogmanay is what Scots call New Year's Eve, December 31st. It's a big night that marks the arrival of the new year. Its origins go back to the Viking celebration of the winter solstice, with wild parties at the end of December. Celebrating Hogmanay in Scotland guarantees a warm welcome and lots of new friends! Sing along to Auld Lang Syne at midnight. For an unforgettable Hogmanay break, it has to be Scotland. HOGMANAY IN EDINBURGH Edinburgh has by far the best Hogmanay celebrations, with a spectacular show, a famous street party, rousing ceilidh dancing and live music in Princes Street Gardens. EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOGMANAY There are many ancient Hogmanay rituals and customs that are still celebrated in Scotland today. The origins of many of these are unknown, but many are believed to bring good luck in the New Year. WHY IS THE EVENT CALLED HOGMANAY? 'Hogmanay' is the Scottish word for the last day of the year, and is associated with New Year's Eve and the celebrations that come with it. It is still unsure where the name originated from, but it is believed the word may have come about during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots and thought to be derived from the French word 'Hoginane' meaning 'gala day'. WHAT ARE THE MAIN HOGMANAY TRaDITIONS? - First-footing - to ensure good luck, the first foot to arrive in your house on New Year's Day should be a dark-haired male (believed to be a throwback to Viking days when blonde strangers arriving on your doorstep meant trouble). The first-footer should also bring symbolic gifts, such as coal, shortbread, salt, black buns or whisky, to ensure good fortune for the year ahead. - Clean the house - to begin the New Year with an unclean house is considered bad luck. Houses used to be cleared throughout to welcome the New Year into a tidy and neat house, including taking out the ashes from the fire in the days when coal fires were common. - Clear your debts - an old superstition states that you should try to clear all your debts before the stroke of midnight. Sing Robert Burns' Auld Lang Syne after midnight - this custom is a staple of Hogmanay parties across the country (and many countries around the world too!). After the bells at midnight, join in a rousing rendition of Auld Lang Syne to start the New Year in real Scottish style. WHAT DO SCOTS SAY AT HOGMANAY? At the bells in Scotland, people usually shout 'Happy New Year' before embracing friends and family. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HOGMANAY AND NEW YEAR? Hogmanay is New Year's Eve (31 December) and New Year is referring to New Year's Day (1 January). Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland often continue into New Year's Day and even to the 2 January. Source: https://www.visitscotland.com/
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