Traditionally, New Year's Eve - or "Hogmanay" - in Scotland is cause for one of the biggest celebrations of the year. Sadly, many of the traditions and practices associated with New Year in Scotland have all but died out, but this page is dedicated to all Scots and everyone out there who wants to know the traditional - and the modern - facts about celebrating Hogmanay here in Scotland.

"The Bells" on Hogmanay are simply defined as the first stroke of midnight and the welcoming in of the New Year. Prior to this, it was long tradition in Scotland that the house would be thoroughly cleaned and tidied, to welcome in the New Year in the proper fashion. I vividly remember as a child my Gran would actually empty all the bins in the house as the witching hour approached.

Steak Pie would also be made for the family to eat in many instances after they welcomed in the New Year. This is pieces of steak meat stewed with beef link sausages, then placed in a pie dish, covered with puff pastry and baked. This is still a very common New Year dish in Scotland though is more often now eaten on New Year's day, rather than in the wee small hours!

Shortbread is of course something else which would be made for New Year, though is now more commonly bought. Black Bun is a type of fruit cake which used to be popular as well though it required to be made well in advance, so that it could mature. Incredibly, although I have heard people speak of Black Bun since my childhood, it is not something I recall ever seeing, never mind tasting.

Frequently, pieces of such as rowan tree would be hung in the house to bring good luck and holly to ward off evil spirits. This is not something I recall ever bearing witness too, however, and as far as I am aware, such are ancient practises that have long since all but died out.

Visitors arriving at a house late on Hogmanay would be turned away as to admit anyone to the house at this time was considered bad luck. It was only after "The Bells" that visitors would be encouraged...but we'll come to that, all in good time.

As midnight on Hogmanay approached, all within the house would gather together and drinks would be poured in anticipation - not to be touched prior to "The Bells!" Whisky was - and to a great extent still is - of course the most common tipple and many a "wee dram" would be sipped in Scotland in the early hours of New Year's morning!

As the first stroke of midnight was heard, "Auld lang Syne," by Rabbie Burns, was often sung, a habit which has of course now spread around the globe. Good wishes and kisses would be exchanged and many would make their New Year Resolutions - often made in sincerity, rarely kept for long! There was also a custom whereby the man of the house would open the back door to let the old year out, followed by the front door to let the New Year in. This again is a custom which so far as I am aware is no longer practised. 

Your "first foot" is the first person to step through your front door in the New Year. Traditionally, tall, dark and handsome men brought the best luck to the household, especially if they were carrying a lump of coal! This was symbolic of the house always having sufficient money to purchase fuel throughout the coming year.

Women and red haired people were among the categories of people generally considered to bring bad luck as a first foot!

Each year at Hogmanay a giant street party is held on princes Street in Edinburgh. As "The Bells" soound, fireworks are set off from Edinburgh Castle in spectacular fashion. I personally have witnessed this display only once, in 2007/8. The display was enjoyable enough but I was very disappointed by how short it was!