The traditional Scottish custom in which the first visitor after midnight brings luck to a home is first-footing.
In this Hogmanay custom, the first-foot, or first person to cross the household threshold after midnight, is believed to influence the home's fortune for the coming year. Traditional gifts include coal for warmth, shortbread or other food for abundance, and whisky or another drink for hospitality.
In some regions, a tall, dark-haired man was historically preferred as the first-foot. This belief reflects older ideas about luck and appearance, but modern celebrations are generally more inclusive. The visitor may be a friend or family member who deliberately waits outside until the new year begins.
First-footing is not the same as simply being the first person awake or the first person greeted outdoors. The defining action is entering a home after midnight, usually with a symbolic gift. Customs differ across Scotland, so no single gift or visitor profile is universal.