The Scottish New Year’s Eve custom of welcoming the first visitor after midnight is called first-footing.
In this tradition, the first person to enter a household after midnight is the first-foot. Their arrival is associated with the household’s luck for the coming year. Traditional gifts can include coal for warmth, shortbread for food, salt, and whisky for hospitality.
Historically, appearance and gender could influence whether a first-footer was considered lucky, although modern celebrations generally treat the custom more flexibly. Friends and relatives may deliberately arrange visits so that the first arrival brings suitable gifts and good wishes.
First-footing is part of Scotland’s wider Hogmanay culture, but the terms are not synonyms. Hogmanay refers broadly to Scottish New Year’s Eve celebrations, while first-footing identifies the household-visiting custom. It is also distinct from the torchlight processions held in some Scottish cities.