The first-footing custom associated with Scottish New Year's Eve is called first-footing.
First-footing is a Scottish New Year tradition in which the first person to enter a home after midnight is thought to influence the household’s luck for the coming year. The visitor commonly brings symbolic gifts such as coal for warmth, bread for food, salt, a silver coin, or whisky. A tall, dark-haired man has traditionally been regarded in some regions as an especially lucky first-foot, although practices differ.
The custom is part of Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year celebration, but the two terms are not interchangeable. Hogmanay names the broader festival, while first-footing describes the household visit. Historical explanations for the preference for a dark-haired visitor vary, and modern celebrations often treat the tradition as a social custom rather than a strict rule. Visitors may leave and return after midnight, or simply visit a neighbor’s home as the first guest.