Scotland’s traditional New Year’s Eve celebration is called Hogmanay.
Hogmanay refers to the Scottish celebration of the last day of the year and to the customs surrounding the New Year. Its exact word origin is uncertain, with proposed links to French, Gaelic, Norse, and Scots-language traditions. The uncertainty is part of the term’s long linguistic history.
Modern Hogmanay festivities commonly include concerts, street gatherings, torchlight processions, and the singing of “Auld Lang Syne.” Edinburgh is especially famous for its large organized celebrations, while local customs vary throughout Scotland.
A well-known tradition is first-footing: the first person to enter a home after midnight is traditionally expected to bring good fortune. Gifts such as whisky, shortbread, or coal have historically carried symbolic meaning, especially when brought by a dark-haired visitor.