Scotland is home to the New Year's Eve tradition called Hogmanay.
The word Hogmanay refers both to the Scottish name for the final day of the year and to the customs surrounding the celebration. Major events take place in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and other Scottish communities, with traditions ranging from public concerts to household visits.
One well-known custom is first-footing. After midnight, the first visitor to cross a home's threshold is traditionally expected to bring symbolic luck, sometimes carrying gifts such as whisky, shortbread, coal, or salt. The precise rules vary among families and regions.
Hogmanay also preserves a strong connection with “Auld Lang Syne,” Robert Burns's famous song about friendship and remembrance. Although New Year's celebrations occur worldwide, the term Hogmanay is specifically associated with Scottish culture and should not be treated as a general name for every country's festivities.