What is the traditional first visitor to a Scottish home after midnight called?

The traditional first visitor to a Scottish home after midnight is called the first-foot.

First-footing is a Hogmanay custom in which the first person to cross a household’s threshold after midnight is believed to influence the home’s luck for the coming year. The visitor may bring symbolic gifts, traditionally including whisky, shortbread, coal, salt, or black bun.

In some local traditions, a tall, dark-haired man was considered especially lucky, while a fair-haired visitor could be viewed less favorably because of historical Viking associations. These beliefs are not universal, and modern households often focus on hospitality rather than strict rules.

The first-foot usually arrives after the family has marked midnight, rather than simply being the last person present before the year changes. The practice is related to Scotland’s Hogmanay celebrations and should not be confused with the person who leads a public countdown.