What is the Scottish New Year's Eve tradition of welcoming the first visitor called?

The Scottish New Year's Eve tradition of welcoming the first visitor is called first-footing. In this custom, the first person to enter a home after midnight is thought to influence the household's luck for the coming year. The visitor traditionally brings symbolic gifts such as coal, shortbread, salt, or whisky.

A common traditional belief held that a tall, dark-haired man made a particularly lucky first-footer. This idea is often linked to historical memories of Viking invasions, although practices and interpretations vary across Scotland. The visitor should enter after midnight and, in some versions, leave by another door.

First-footing is part of Hogmanay, the Scottish name for New Year's celebrations. Hogmanay includes street parties, torchlight processions, music, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Customs differ between regions and families, so not every Scottish household follows every traditional rule. The enduring theme is hospitality: sharing food, drink, and good wishes as the new year begins.