CELEBRATING HOGMANAY

HOGMANAY CELEBRATIONS

Hogmanay in Scotland is the Scots word for the last day of the year. This is celebrated throughout Scotland throughout the night on the 31st December through to the next day and sometimes into the 2nd January, this is classed as a Bank Holiday in Scotland.

There are many customs, both local and national associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread is the practice of "first-footing", which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour and quite often symbolises the giving of gifts, such as items like salt (less common today), coal, shortbread, whiskey or black burn (a rich cake) and this is intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder.

The Hogmanay custom of singing "Auld Lang Syne" is a poem interpreted by Robert Burns, this was later set to music. It is now traditionally sung at the stroke of midnight, with arms crossed and linked in a circle, with people singing the words to "Auld Lang Syne", to celebrate the arrival of the New Year.

So if you are celebrating the traditonal Scottish way or holding a New Years Eve Party, we have a vast knowledge of organising parties, from supplying party essentials and party poppers to many more party supplies.