Scotland's New Year's Eve celebration is called Hogmanay.
Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of the final day of the old year and the arrival of the new one. Major events have been held in Edinburgh, where torchlight processions, concerts, street parties, and fireworks form a large public festival. Customs vary throughout Scotland and are not limited to Edinburgh.
One important tradition is first-footing. The first person to enter a household after midnight is traditionally expected to bring gifts such as whisky, shortbread, coal, or salt, symbolizing warmth, food, and prosperity. In some traditions, a tall, dark-haired first footer is considered especially lucky.
The name's origin is uncertain, and proposed explanations connect it with Norse, Gaelic, and French influences. Hogmanay should also not be confused with Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25. Modern events combine older customs with organized concerts and city-center celebrations.