Photo by Peter Spencer: https://www.pexels.com/photo/fireworks-photo-634694/
Hogmanay is Scotland’s New Year’s celebrations. It is celebrated
with Ceilidh dancing and singing Robert Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne” at midnight. Edinburgh
holds a massive 4-day festival each year. Like in many other Celtic
celebrations, people also participate in fire ceremonies, which are said to
ward off evil spirits. In recent years, the practice of Loony Dook has become
popular. People dress up in costume and
plunge into the waters of the Firth of Forth.
First Footing is one of the most popular traditions. When
the clock strikes midnight on January 1, it is practice to try to be the first
person to visit someone’s house. If the first person who visits you is blonde
or redhead, it is believed you will have bad luck, which harkens from the
Viking invasions. However, if the person has brown or dark hair, you will have
good luck. Some believe that it is bad luck for any woman to be the First Foot.
Those who are visiting bring gifts that represent prosperity as well as shortbread
and whisky.
In many cultures, the New Year is a time of new starts, and
this is the case in Scotland as well. Redding the House involves clearing
debts, cleaning the house, and removing the ashes. Saining involves blessing
livestock and the home by flicking magical water from a river ford where the
living and dead cross. Burning a juniper branch is also coming in saining.
The Kirkwall Ba’ Game is a chaotic mass football game that
takes place is the streets of the town of Kirkwall. This game is played by "Up-the-Gates"
and "Doon-the-Gates.” While the game was originally played by men, there
have been two Women’s Ba’ games in history, both in the immediate aftermath of
World War II. Boys 15 and under have their own separate game.