Happy New Year (English)

Bonne Annee (French)

Felice anno nuovo (Italian)

Prosit Neujahr (German)

Akimashite Omedetto Gozaimasu(Japanese)

Feliz Ano Nuevo (Spanish)

Bliain nua fe mhaise dhuit(Irish Gaelic)

bliadhna mhath ur(Scottish Gaelic).

No matter which country in the world you are from,which color,race or religion. New Years Day is celebrated by everyone.

Being Scottish the new year is the main celebration of the festive season this stems back to nearly 500 years ago when Christmas was banned by law not long after the battle of Cullodin.

It wasn't until the beginning of the 20th century that the Scot's Started to celebrate Christmas again,and the law was finaly repealed in 1958.

Alot of older Scot's still celebrate new year more than Christmas.

New Years Eve or better known as Hogmanay (Great love day) in Scotland is a day of preparation for the big night ahead cooking,cleaning,and getting things in order for the new year.

when the New Year finaly arrives at midnight the church bells ring (Some people call it the bells when midnight strikes) and the ships at sea sound their foghorn's.

People join hands and sing The Robert(Rabbie) burns song, Auld Lang Syne. Of course there is the shaking of hands and the kisses wishing each other a Happy new year.

"First footing" (or the "first person" to visit the house after midnight) is still common across Scotland. To ensure good luck for the house the first foot should be a dark haired male, and should bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee dram of whisky.

in some places there are firework displays and torch light processions.

For visitors to Scotland it is worth remembering that January 2nd is also a national holiday in Scotland.

Scotlands biggest party at New year is in Edinburgh, where there are live bands,singing and dancing in the streets,to mark the new year a special gun is fired at the stroke of midnight from the castle.

have fun .....jimmy