In Scotland’s New Year traditions, the first day of the year is called Ne’er Day.
Ne’er Day is a Scots form of “New Year’s Day” and is part of the broader Scottish Hogmanay season. While Hogmanay refers chiefly to New Year’s Eve and its celebrations, Ne’er Day refers to January 1 itself. Scottish customs have historically extended across both dates, including visiting friends and relatives, exchanging good wishes, and observing first-footing traditions.
First-footing involves the first person to enter a household after midnight or on New Year’s Day. Traditionally, the visitor brings symbolic gifts such as coal, shortbread, salt, or whisky, representing warmth, food, flavor, and good fortune. Details differ by region and family.
Ne’er Day should not be confused with Burns Night, which honors poet Robert Burns on January 25, or St Andrew’s Day on November 30. The word “ne’er” is a Scots spelling and pronunciation form related to “new year,” so the term may look unfamiliar to readers outside Scotland.