Scotland’s New Year celebration is called Hogmanay. The word refers to the Scottish observance of New Year’s Eve and the associated customs, which can include street parties, torchlight processions, bonfires, first-footing, and singing “Auld Lang Syne.”
Hogmanay became especially prominent in Scotland partly because Christmas celebrations were historically restricted or discouraged after the Reformation. New Year therefore retained an unusually important place in the Scottish calendar. Modern events range from large organized gatherings in Edinburgh and other cities to private family traditions.
First-footing is one of the best-known customs. The first person to enter a household after midnight was traditionally expected to bring symbolic gifts such as food, drink, coal, or salt. Local versions differ, and modern practice is not uniform across Scotland.
Hogmanay is not the same as Burns Night, which honors the poet Robert Burns on January 25. St Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s national day, while Up Helly Aa is a separate Shetland fire festival held in winter.