The midnight New Year's Eve celebration traditionally held in Scotland is called Hogmanay.
Hogmanay is more than a name for December 31: it describes a network of customs, gatherings, songs, and visits that welcome the new year. The word's origin is uncertain, and scholars have proposed influences from Scots, French, Gaelic, Norse, and other languages. No single etymology is universally accepted.
Scottish Hogmanay customs include first-footing, singing “Auld Lang Syne,” preparing special foods, and joining public fire or torch events. Edinburgh's modern festivities include concerts, a large street gathering, and a torchlight procession, although programs vary by year.
A common confusion is treating Hogmanay as a separate date from New Year's Eve. In ordinary usage, it refers to the New Year period centered on the evening of December 31 and the first day of January. St Andrew's Day, Scotland's national day, is observed on November 30 and is unrelated to the name Hogmanay.