What is the traditional Scottish midnight song commonly sung during Hogmanay?

The traditional Scottish midnight song commonly sung during Hogmanay is “Auld Lang Syne.”

People often join hands and sing the song as the old year ends or the new year begins. Its words focus on remembering old friendships and shared experiences, making it suitable for a communal transition between years.

Robert Burns wrote the best-known version of the poem in 1788, based partly on older Scottish material. The melody used today became standardized through later musical transmission, and versions exist in many languages.

Although strongly associated with Scotland, the song is not limited to Hogmanay. It is also used at farewells, graduations, memorial occasions, and New Year's celebrations around the world. The phrase is Scots and is often translated as “for old times' sake.”