Hogmanay in Scotland
"Today is New Year's Eve across the world but here in Scotland it is Hogmanay. We love to do this properly and so much of it reflects the hygge philosophy that I thought I would share! There are many Hogmanay traditions but I'll share the ones I enjoy most.
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The first has to be done before any celebrations can be enjoyed. It is that the house needs cleaned from top to bottom. All outstanding jobs completed. All bills paid. The cupboards should be filled with food and the pockets with money. This is all about starting afresh and having abundance.
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Doors should be left unlocked to allow the old year to leave.
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Then I get bathed and new clothes put on.
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We still have an open fire in the house and this is lit and kept burning until the new year.
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After midnight I can throw my calendar/ diary onto it to ensure my worries do not return.
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There are many a fire festival in Scotland to bring in the bells..
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Then we've first footing. This is your visitors after the bells. Traditionally you wanted a tall, dark haired unarmed male to visit. (Light haired males were vikings so not all that welcome). They should bring coal (warmth in the year), bread (food), whisky (drink, the water of life, uisge beatha!) and money (abundance).
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Then it is a night of revelry which carries onto the following day. It is that well celebrated that the 1st and the 2nd are public holidays in Scotland even to this day!
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On new years day we have steak pie with the whole family to bring luck in the new year! So much there so hygge!"
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~ Carol Murdoch 31 Dec 2021
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