The Scotland New Year 

For around 400 years (the end of the 17^th century to the 1950's), Christmas was not celebrated in Scotland. The Church of Scotland - a Presbyterian church - for various reasons never placed emphasis on the Christmas season. As a result, many instead celebrated the winter solstice on Hogmanay, the last day of the year. Its origins come from a blend of Gaelic, British, Viking and French traditions.   

Hogmanay has many traditions, some which continue today. How many do you recognize?

• Fire is important to Hogmanay, since long ago fireballs signified the sun's power to purify the world by consuming evil spirits. Old ceremonies included bonfires, tossing lit torches, and rolling tar barrels down hills while on fire. Still common today are large bonfires, modern fireballs and fireworks.
• Having a clean house on Dec. 31^st lets you start fresh (used to include cleaning out fireplaces and coal buckets).
• Animal hide was wrapped around sticks and ignited, which produced a smoke that could ward off evil spirits.
• 'The Bells' is a phrase used to describe the midnight hour when New Year's Eve becomes New Year's Day.
• An old superstition was to clear all debts before The Bells.
• Minutes before the start of New Year, a lone piper often plays as everyone waits for The Bells.
• Immediately after midnight it is traditional to sing Robert Burns' "For Auld Lang Syne".
• In many parts of Scotland gifts or "Hogmanay's" are exchanged after the turn of midnight.
• Giving best wishes to friends and strangers will clear out the vestiges of old and start the new one fresh.
• Scots welcome the first person to step foot into their door after midnight. The 'First Footer' should bring with them a gift for the host, such as coal for the fire, a coin, shortbread or whisky. Footers who don't bring a gift receive bad luck. Most homes prefer the First Footer be a dark-haired male, which brought good luck. This came from the old fears of Viking invasions, whom were largely blond strangers.
• Handseling was once common, which was giving good-luck gifts on the first Monday of the New Year.