Reign of Terroir

Hogmanay

Ξ December 31st, 2007 | → 0 Comments | ∇ A Day at a Time |

Hogmanay is arguably Scotland’s biggest contribution to the world of celebration (closely followed, less than a month later, by Burn’s night!) with street parties in the major Scottish cities, especially Edinburgh which has a televised evening of entertainment and fireworks, subject to the tempermental weather!

With much of Scotland subject to Viking influence at the end of the first millennium the tradition probably developed from Winter Solstice ceremonies and the Norse Yule festival. The annual New Year’s Eve celebrations are historically more popular than Christmas, thanks in no small part to the Church of Scotland effectively trying to ban what was considered a Catholic feast and not proper for hard working protestants (until the 1960s, Christmas Day was a normal working day for most Scots!

One of the Hogmanay traditions I still remember from my childhood is First footing. After Midnight (The Bells) the first person to come calling is meant to bring good luck for the coming year if they are tall, dark and handsome (methinks a woman’s influence is detected here!), especially if they bring with them a lump of coal for the fire or a dram of whisky or a piece of Shortbread for the hostess. Blond men are less welcome, possibly due to a race memory of pillaging Vikings on a raid, and women are equally unwelcome as a first foot.

If you’re going to a Hogmanay party then an essential piece of kit is the traditional carry oot, typically cans of lager and a bottle of whisky. Wine is not traditionally considered appropriate, although a glass of something sparkling is much appreciated from the host (especially as the bells start chiming to see in the New Year) and the Scots are not known for refusing alcohol of any kind when a party is in full swing!

A custom that has crossed the world is the singing of Auld Lang Syne as the old year ends and the new one begins. The song by Rabbie Burns, most likely based on older folk songs, is used throughout the year in Scotland, especially at Cèilidhs and on Burn’s night (January 25th) but it is on New Year’s Eve that it has acquired global popularity. The final 3 verses are typically dropped so it is the first verse and chorus that will be sung by merry partygoers from Sydney to L.A. this year, and Iíll raise a glass of something bubbly myself and join in with the rest of you - a Happy New Year to you all and may 2008 bring you hope and happiness.

Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
And days of auld lang syne?†
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne
We’ll tak’ a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne.†
Greybeard.