The Scottish New Year's Eve celebration that gives its name to Scotland's New Year festivities is Hogmanay.
Hogmanay is the Scots word for the last day of the year and, by extension, the Scottish New Year celebration. Its customs include parties, singing, fireworks, and first-footing, in which the first person to enter a household after midnight is believed to influence the household's luck.
The precise origin of the word Hogmanay is uncertain. Scholars have proposed influences from Scots, French, Norse, and Gaelic sources, but no single etymology is universally accepted. The holiday's customs also developed over time and vary among communities.
Hogmanay is often treated as a single festival, but Scotland hosts many distinct local events. Edinburgh's large celebration is internationally known, while smaller communities maintain their own traditions. Burns Night, held on January 25, honors poet Robert Burns and is not the same holiday.