Jump To Section:
If there is one nation famous for celebrating Hogmanay (the Scots word for New Year’s Eve) in great style it is Scotland. We delve into a little history of this great tradition, as well as finding out how Hogmanay is celebrated in Edinburgh, what to wear, and just what is happening around the world to welcome the New Year, both in the years gone by and today in our slightly altered state of the world.
Hogmanay
What does Hogmanay mean?
The word Hogmanay refers to the Scottish celebration of the New Year, marking the final night of the old year and the days of festivities that follow. While its exact origins are debated, the name is widely believed to have evolved from a blend of Old Norse, Gaelic and French influences, reflecting Scotland’s long history of cultural exchange. Some scholars link it to the French phrase hoguinané, a New Year’s gift or greeting, while others trace roots to Norse winter festivals or Gaelic terms associated with the turning of the year.
Whatever its linguistic beginnings, Hogmanay has come to symbolise far more than a name. In Scotland, it represents renewal, hospitality and community, a time when traditions such as first-footing, music, fire and shared celebrations bring people together to welcome the year ahead with hope and good fortune.
The History of Hogmanay in Scotland
From the end of the 17th century to the 1950's Christmas was not really celebrated as a festival in Scotland, regarded as a Catholic celebration and banned by the Protestant Kirk for this reason. As a result in Scotland most people worked over Christmas and took the time off at New Year to gather to party with friends and family, sharing gifts which were known as hogmanays.
History suggests that in the 8th and 9th centuries the Vikings, with their celebrations and of the Winter Solstice and shortest day were the beginning of many of the traditions still followed today. Indeed the famous fireworks and torchlight procession in Edinburgh are reminiscent of Hogmanay pagan celebrations where bonfires were lit, blazing tar barrels were rolled down hills and lit torches were tossed. In the north east of Scotland fire ceremonies still take place and Stonehaven is apparently the most spectacular if you want to experience the warding off of evil spirits.
Torches were originally made by wrapping animal hide around sticks and if you head up to the Isle of Lewis today the young men there still make up groups carrying torches, visiting the houses in the village, and a little bit like Hallowe'en, reciting Gaelic rhymes and receiving bannocks (delicious fruit buns you must try when you next visit Scotland) which they put in their sack. The leader is obvious as he wears a sheep skin. If you want to read a bit more about the Vikings then Jack from our Edinburgh shop has written a blog dedicated to the subject.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Celebrations
The Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh is one of the most iconic events of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival, lighting up the city with a river of fire and music. It usually takes place on the 29th December, with thousands of torchbearers, accompanied by drummers, pipers and the Vikings of Shetland’s Up Helly Aa Jarl Squad, parading from The Meadows through the historic Old Town, creating unforgettable scenes of fire and festivity.
Edinburgh is the ultimate New Year destination for thousands of revellers every year. The celebrations build over several days with headline concerts, street parties, ceilidhs and spectacular fireworks above the castle. Whether you’re joining the torchlight procession as it winds through cobbled streets or singing “Auld Lang Syne” with thousands at midnight, Hogmanay in the capital offers an electric mix of tradition, music and community spirit that truly captures the magic of bringing in the New Year.
What to Wear for Hogmanay
What you wear for Hogmanay very much depends on how you are celebrating.
Even if you aren't able to hit the Edinburgh Street Party, or stay up to watch the fireworks, outdoors is the way to go this year and you will need to wrap up warm. We would recommend layering up with a cashmere jumper and stylish coat, a cosy hat, warm scarf.
Evening Wear Boxes
If you are lucky enough to be attending a ceilidh or party you might want to don a kilt or tartan skirt for easy movement on the dancefloor. A tartan sash or bow tie, can also be a great way to bring a little tartan to a party outfit for Hogmanay. We have created some special last minute Evening Wear boxes for him and her if you need to quickly pick up a bit of tartan.
Last Minute Evening Wear
Auld Lang Syne Tartans
Inspired by Scotland’s most famous New Year anthem, Auld Lang Syne tartans are a meaningful and celebratory choice for Hogmanay outfits and accessories. Designed to reflect the spirit of reflection, friendship and looking forward, these tartans are closely associated with the moment the clocks strike midnight and voices join together to welcome the year ahead.
Wearing Auld Lang Syne tartan at Hogmanay adds a deeper layer of symbolism to your celebrations. Whether styled as a kilt, scarf, sash, tie or stole, it connects your outfit directly to the traditions of the night, making it ideal for torchlight processions, street parties, ceilidhs and New Year gatherings at home or abroad. The colours are versatile and timeless, pairing easily with classic evening wear while still making a statement rooted in Scottish heritage.
If you are looking to mark the New Year with something thoughtful and distinctly Scottish, the Auld Lang Syne tartans offer a way to carry tradition into modern celebrations. They also make meaningful keepsakes, perfect for remembering a special Hogmanay spent in Scotland or celebrating the promise of new beginnings wherever you are in the world.
What to Eat and Drink on Hogmanay
Scottish Hogmanay Food
Hogmanay traditional food and drinks don't tend to be too different from any other traditional Scottish meals. Haggis, Neeps and Tatties is the perfect winter warmer and very traditional for any Scottish occasion. Other food options that tend to be popular at Hogmanay are Stovies, Scotch Broth soup and Cranachan. However when it comes to new years day there's nothing better than a hearty Steak Pie to soak up the hangovers!
Scottish Hogmanay Drinks
Of course, whisky is the number one choice of drink for Hogmanay, and toasting the bells with a wee dram is very much the Scottish way. Whether it is a smoky island malt or a smooth Highland blend, whisky symbolises warmth, tradition and good fortune as the old year slips away and the new one begins. Sharing a dram at midnight is as much about togetherness as it is about the drink itself.
Alongside whisky, Scottish gin has firmly earned its place at Hogmanay celebrations. Distilled with native botanicals such as heather, rowan and sea kelp, Scottish gins offer a lighter but equally celebratory option, perfect for festive cocktails or a simple gin and tonic enjoyed before or after the bells. Our wide variety of Gin reflects modern Scotland while still being rooted in place and tradition.
And no Scottish celebration would be complete without Irn-Bru. Loved across generations, it is often the drink of choice for designated drivers, younger revellers, or as a welcome refreshment the morning after. Bright, bold and unmistakably Scottish, Irn-Bru brings a sense of fun to Hogmanay, proving that whether you are raising a glass of whisky, clinking a gin cocktail or pouring a can of the nation’s favourite soft drink, there is a Hogmanay toast for everyone.
Scottish Hogmanay Traditions
Along with lots of partying, dancing and celebrating there are actually some traditions that we are supposed to follow before we bring in the new year:
Clean the House & Clear Your Debts
Clean the house and take out the ashes from the fire before 31st December and all debts should be cleared before "the bells" sound at midnight, with the idea that you start the new year afresh. We all begin New Year with resolutions and the chance to do better, but I like the simplicity of simply tidying up and sorting the bank balance, no need for a diet or fitness plan this year then?
Auld Lang Syne
My favourite part of Hogmanay is the singing of For Auld Lang Syne just after midnight and the joining of hands and celebration of friendship which feels good whether you are ceilidh'ing in your tartan with hundreds of others or just at home with a few friends.
Auld Lang Syne
And for auld lang syne, my jo,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne,
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And days o' auld lang syne.
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp!
And surely I'll be mine!
And we'll tak a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.
We twa hae run about the braes
And pu'd the gowans fine;
But we've wander'd mony a weary foot
Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl'd i' the burn,
Frae mornin' sun till dine;
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand, my trusty fiere!
And gie's a hand o' thine!
And we'll tak a right guid willy waught,
For auld lang syne.
Translated - Old Long Past
And for old long past, my joy,
For old long past,
We will take a cup of kindness yet,
For old long past,
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And days of old long past.
And surely you will pay for your pint
And surely I will pay for mine!
And we will take a cup of kindness yet,
For old long past.
We two have run about the hillsides
And pulled the wild daisies fine;
But we have wandered many a weary foot
Since old long past.
We two have paddled in the stream,
From morning sun till noon;
But seas between us broad have roared
Since old long past.
And there is a hand, my trusty friend!
And give me a hand of yours!
And we will take a right good-will drink,
For old long past.
First Footing
"First footing" is the other great tradition in Scotland and in return for a warm welcome you should arrive on the doorstep with a piece of coal, some shortbread, salt, black bun or whisky. It is said that the 'first footer' should be a tall dark haired man, with the first footing gifts to signify good health and fortune. On the other hand women, light-haired men and redheads are said to bring bad luck.
Loony Dook
Some of the other crazy traditions followed in Scotland to celebrate New Year are topped with The Loony Dook where hundreds of Scots don their fancy dress and run into the freezing cold waters of the Firth of Forth to clear their Hogmanay heads.
Ba' Game
In Kirkwall the have a Ba' Game which is a mass game of football played in the streets, between two teams, the Uppies and the Donnies, which was traditionally decided by which part of the island you come from.
New Year Traditions Around the World
If you are in Australia the partying is on the beach and at midnight everyone makes a huge noise with whistles, rattles, car horns and church bells. No sleeping through the Bells in Oz! South Africa celebrates according to the Georgian calendar on its first date of January 1st and huge parties and festivals are staged. Interestingly according to Afro Tourism "A portion of the general population also celebrates by throwing refrigerator from their balconies and others fire gunshots. In any case, in the present time, these traditions of firing a shot and tossing of fridges have decreased, because these things can present danger to many people." What weird and wonderful New Year's traditions do you and your family observe? We would love to know!
Our Edinburgh shop is open between Christmas and New Year but we do close early on Hogmanay so if you need some last minute tartan to wear for your new year's celebration remember to pop in to Queensferry Street before 4pm. And don't forget to share your photos of your celebrations and stories of your traditions with us. Lang may yer lum reek.
