New Year in Scotland, or traditional Hogmanay as it can be described, is among Great Britain’s preferred attractions. As a rule, Hogmanay goes from midday on Dec 31 through to noon on Jan 1, currently it might go to January 2, all determined by local custom.

The main reason Hogmanay developed into an event so outstanding inside Scotland was that Christmas ended up being forbidden by the Scottish Presbyterian Religious organization as being a \’Popish\’ or \’Catholic\’ feast. This lasted up to the 1950\’s from the Seventeenth century. It is believed by many that the Scots will not seriously observe Christmas time, it is only the warm up for the special day that\’s Hogmanay.

Parties take place right across Scotland – from Edinburgh to Kilmelford on the western sea-coast for those wanting a traditional Hogmanay in quieter surroundings.

BACKGROUND

It\’s likely that many of the regular Hogmanay traditions reached Scotland with the arrival of the invading Vikings over twelve hundred years ago.

Fireworks in addition to torchlight processions transpire almost everywhere in Scotland. These kind of activities hark back to ancient pagan traditions along with those from the Viking times. Considered to have begun with the Winter Solstice these processions were coupled with swinging fireballs. Typically, the flames represented the sun and how it can consume malignant spirits and so purify the globe.

Flames have always been an integral part of traditional Hogmanay festivities, when the fire ingests the old to create room for new and produce a light of knowledge collected from one year and carried forward to the new one.

CUSTOMS

Just before midnight upon Thirty first Dec. various superstitions and practices will be practiced: getting rid of hearth ashes, housekeeping, eliminating your debts as well as suspending thirteen garlic bulbs in the kitchen space to take away harmful powers, are a few of them.

A regular Hogmanay custom is \’first footing\’, that will begin soon after midnight. That\’s where the first person to enter a residence that New Year\’s Day comes producing gifts, for example coal or whiskey. The \’first foot\’ serves as a bringer of good luck for the approaching twelve months.

A dark man must be the first foot for the house to have the best of luck. Rather this than a blond having an axe – as the Vikings were. Not much good luck there!

Traditional Hogmanay can see folks adorned within hides associated with cows then rampaging within the village whilst being hit by sticks. Much the same custom is preserved in some areas where a man inside an animal hide arrives at people’s entrance doors. Bonfires would be ignited in addition to torches thrown. Sticks would have animal hide fitted then lit up. Typically the smoke (known as Hogmanay) was imagined to prevent wicked spirits.

Many procedures carry on, particularly in the more faraway Highlands and Island destinations. Young males within the Isle of Lewis (Outer Hebrides) gather in opposing groupings; the chief putting on sheep skin, while yet another comes with a sack. The sets of youths recite a Gaelic rhyme when they proceed house to house. The children get bannocks (fruit buns) to include their sacks.

Little ones run about singing and begging items in the form of oaten cakes. Standard food products are generally bannocks, oarsmen, shortbread, black buns along with ankersocks (gingerbread).

Entrance doors are actually opened and kitchen items rattled to push away from the final psychic vestiges of the old year together with welcoming in the new.

Traditional Hogmanay partying in the present day greets equally friends and guests. Warm hospitality, a good amount of kissing and everybody is wished ‘Guid New Year’.

SCOTLAND\’S EFFECT ON NEW YEAR TRADITIONS WORLD WIDE – AULD LANG SYNE

Scotland\’s premiere poet is Robbie Burns, his most well-known composition, Auld Lang Syne, is sung during Hogmanay festivities immediately after midnight.

\”Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne

For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,

We\’ll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne.\”

Dean Nixon, as a timeshare owner at Melfort Village in Scotland owns week 52. This gives him New Year in Scotland every year. By profession he is a private English tutor in Stoke On Trent, England. His passion is blogging on his Experienced Tutors blog.

Dean Nixon, is a timeshare owner at Melfort Village in Scotland owning week 52. This gives him New Year in Scotland every year – http://www.newyearinscotland.co.uk

Author Bio: Dean Nixon, as a timeshare owner at Melfort Village in Scotland owns week 52. This gives him New Year in Scotland every year. By profession he is a private English tutor in Stoke On Trent, England. His passion is blogging on his Experienced Tutors blog.

Category: Travel
Keywords: new year in scotland, hogmanay, tradition hogmanay, traditional scottish hogmanay,