In Scotland Hogmanay, New Year's Eve, is actually a bigger celebration than Christmas - at least it was when I lived there 50+ years ago! People went from house to house after midnight with a bottle of whiskey to toast the new year with friends and family.
There are several other customs linked to Hogmanay but the one I am most aware of was the "First Foot". This was the first person to enter your house in the new year. It had to be a tall dark-haired stranger. This dates back to the time of Viking raids as Scandanavian invaders usually had fair skin and hair. So it was safe to allow the dark-haired visitor into your home.
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| Getting ready to welcome in the New Year with some bubbly! Prosecco and orange juice. |
Hoping the same! Happy and Healthy New Year to you. Cheers, Wilma
ReplyDeleteWe can only hope for better times!
DeleteHappy New Year! X
ReplyDeleteAnd to you too, Jules.
DeleteHappy New Year to you, Chris.
ReplyDeleteI was married into a Scottish family and well remember the knees up that was New Year. I'm rather glad those parties are well behind me now.
Have a great day to start off what I hope will be a great New Year for us all. xx
Yes, sincerely hope 2022 is an improvement on 2021!
DeleteHappy New Year Chris. Let's hope that familiar in looks stranger is a return to normal life so let's definitely welcomed the dark stranger into 2022.
ReplyDeleteI haven't had my First Foot yet. Hope it is the repairman to finally fix my oven!
DeleteI hope you have a wonderful New Year Chris.
ReplyDeleteSince we don't get many visitors it might be awhile before we get a dark haired visitor...especially since I can't count my husband.
God bless.
Yes, you can count him - just send him out to return across the threshold!
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