What is Hogmanay? Meaning explained

THE New Year is upon us, which means saying goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022.

And as we countdown the hours to midnight, none do bigger and better celebrations than the Scots, but what exactly does Hogmanay involve?

What is Hogmanay?

For New Year’s Eve, Scotland has its own unique set of traditions.

Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the year and has become synonymous with New Year’s celebrations across the country, but unlike in other parts of the world, these festivities are not limited to one night.

Celebrations on Hogmanay usually continue into New Year’s Day and sometimes even January 2, which is a bank holiday in Scotland.

Where does the name Hogmanay come from?

The origins of the name Hogmanay are not entirely clear, but there are a few theories as to where the word came from.

It is believed to come from the French word ‘hoginane’ meaning ‘gala day’, and was said to have been used widely following Mary, Queen of Scots’ return to Scotland from France in 1561.

Many also believe the word – like many of the day’s traditions – came from Viking influences instead.

The Scandinavian word for the feast preceding Yule – the celebration of the passing of the shortest day – was “Hoggo-nott”, according to Rampant Scotland.

But the Flemish phrase “hoog min dag” means “great love day”, prompting some to suggest it came from modern-day Belgium and the Netherlands.

The Gaelic for “new morning” is “oge maiden”, and many claim that it comes from the French “Homme est né” meaning “Man is born”.

What do Scots do to celebrate Hogmanay?

Historians believe it originated from a winter solstice festival brought by the Vikings, for whom the passing of the shortest day was a cause for celebration, given how far north they lived.

These Viking influences mixed with existing pagan traditions in Scotland formed the modern-day traditions such as the dramatic torch processions through Edinburgh and other Scottish cities.

Another tradition that remains popular today also dates back to this period.

“First footing” is also a traditional part of Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland, where friends and family would visit their loved ones immediately after midnight to be the first person to go into their house and bring new luck into the new year.

The first person to visit you in the new year should traditionally be a tall, dark-haired man, and is said to date back to the Viking invasions, as the arrival of a blonde Viking would mean imminent danger.

In later centuries, Christmas was banned in the country for hundreds of years after the split in the church because protestant rulers associated the dates with Catholicism.

Many were forced to work over the period, meaning they couldn’t celebrate with their families and until the New Year.

This is where the idea of exchanging presents or “handselling” on Hogmanay came from – although this tradition has since died out.

Other traditions include cleaning the house before the big day and linking arms to sing Robert Burns’ famous poem Auld Lang Syne – a ritual which has become famous throughout the world.

Scotland is a lively place to be to ring in the New Year, boasting a number of big events – including Edinburgh’s colossal parade, fireworks display and concert.