Hogmanay | A Traditional Scottish New Year

This is Sleepy History. Sleepy History is a production of slumber studios. To listen ad-free, get access to bonus episodes and support the ongoing production of this show. Check out our premium feed. In Scotland, people celebrate the new year with the festival of Hogmanay. It's a name that brings to mind torchlight processions through the streets, or fireworks above Edinburgh Castle. Or perhaps you might picture a smaller gathering at home with shortbread, whiskey and other local treats. It's a time of togetherness and age-old customs. We'll explore these customs tonight as we trace the origins of Hogmanay. It's a journey that will take us across Scotland and beyond through centuries of tradition. So just relax and let your mind drift as we explore the Sleepy History of Hogmanay. To truly understand the story of Hogmanay, it's important to consider why and how. The transition from one year to the next has been celebrated throughout human history. So before we head to Scotland, let's take a brief look at new year celebrations across the world. It seems that people have marked the beginning of the year at least as far back as 2000 BCE. One of the earliest known events was in ancient Mesopotamia, present day Iraq. There, the new year was known as Akitu and it coincided with the new moon. In Babylonia, it was the moon after the Vernil Equinox, the 20th or 21st of March by today's calendar. While in nearby Assyria, it was the moon after the autumn Equinox, which falls in September on the 22nd or 23rd. Akitu celebrations lasted for up to 12 days. There were prayers and processions and countless religious ceremonies, sometimes at the temple and other times by the river. There were also the kinds of festivities that are more common today, like singing and dancing at communal gatherings. People would gather by the river to eat a huge outdoor banquet and celebrate together. Similar events took place in other cultures, in ancient Egypt and Persia and then in Greece and Rome. Each civilization had its own unique festivities, often centered around very different dates. For instance, in the days of the Roman Republic, March the 1st was New Year's Day. This changed in 45 BCE when Rome adopted the Julian calendar. The year now began in January. The rest of Europe would adopt the same date, but not officially until over a thousand years later. With the fall of the Roman Empire in the 5th century CE and the rise of Christianity across Europe, religious customs and dates took precedence. For centuries, many parts of Christian Europe, including England and Scotland, celebrated New Year's Day on the 25th of March. This date marks the feast of the annunciation. It commemorates the meeting between Mary and the angel Gabriel when she was told that she'd be the mother of the Son of God. This didn't change until 1582, when the Roman Catholic Church adopted the Gregorian calendar. Gradually, the countries of Europe agreed. The year ended in December and began in January. Scotland, which was an independent kingdom at the time, adopted the change in the year 1600. For King James VI and the Scottish government, January seemed more appropriate as the first month of the year. By then, the locals had formed their own distinctive traditions, the celebration that would come to be known as Hogmanay. We can learn a great deal about the history of the celebration by exploring the roots of the name itself. What's more, we can learn about the history of Scotland and the many elements that shaped its culture. Some believe that the earliest written reference to the name Hogmanay appeared in 1443 in Yorkshire, England. It was documented in Latin with a different spelling, Hagnonais. Another spelling was used in 1604 when the word first appeared in the native Scots language. It was noted in the records of Elgin, a town in northeast Scotland as Hagnonais. At some point, Hogmanay became the standard name, though a variety of spellings and pronunciations can be found across the annals of history. Like the festival itself, which we'll come to a little later, the origins of the name remain something of a mystery. It could be derived from Old English, Scottish Gaelic, or Old Norse. Alternatively, it could be French, brought over with the Normans, and perhaps later popularised by Mary Queen of Scots. Let's consider these arguments now, beginning with the theory that the word has Anglo-Saxon origins. Old English, also known as Anglo-Saxon, was a Germanic language. It developed due to an influx of settlers from modern-day Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. And from the mid-5th to the late 11th century, it was the predominant language across much of what is now the United Kingdom. At the time, there was a powerful Anglo-Saxon kingdom known as Northumbria. It stretched from Yorkshire into what is now southeast Scotland, including the city of Edinburgh. Some experts think that the origins of Hogmanay lie in the Anglo-Saxon phrase, Halag Monath. This means holy month, so it's in keeping with the New Year season. An alternative theory is that the word is Gaelic, a Celtic language with historical roots in Ireland. It began to spread in Scotland from around the 4th century CE. There are a number Gaelic words relating to the New Year, which are similar to Hogmanay. A festive song from the Isle of Man, for instance, begins, Tonight is New Year's Night, Hoganar. Scholars have also noted a linguistic similarity between Hogmanay and the name Pop Tune. Pop Tune is an ancient festival celebrated on the Isle of Man on 31 October, the local equivalent of Halloween. Like Halloween, Pop Tune has its roots in the Celtic festival, Sawan. Sawan marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the New Year. Some believe that this festival may have also influenced Hogmanay. Another possibility is a link with a different pagan festival, one brought to Scotland by Viking invaders. From the late 8th century, these Scandinavian warriors began raiding the British coastline and the west coast of Scotland. There, they mostly settled on the northern and western Isles, colonising Orkney, Shetland and both the inner and outer Hebrides. Research shows that many never left and Norse culture became ingrained in Scotland. Today, a large number of Scots have Norwegian DNA and some modern surnames have Scandinavian origins. One of many customs that the Vikings brought to Scotland was that of celebrating a winter festival. It's thought that this festival was originally known as Hoganot before it morphed into Yule. Eventually, the pagan celebration of Yule would blend with Christmas. But there's also another theory about the origins of Hogmanay with perhaps the most compelling evidence. There are a couple of terms in the French language that seem similar to Hogmanay. For instance, the Norman French word Aguinane, which begins with the letters H-O-G refers to a New Year's gift. Or perhaps Hogmanay came from a medieval French word Aguineneuf. This word referred either to New Year's Eve or a New Year's gift. It's plausible that such terms made their way to Scotland via the Norman invasion of England across the border. A similar French influence can also be seen elsewhere. The Channel Islands are located in the English Channel, just off the coast of France. Once occupied by the Normans, the islands are now dependent territories of the British Crown. However, the legacy of French culture is still evident today in the language and customs of both Jersey and Gernese. And traditions on the islands seem to support the theory about Hogmanay's French origins. In Jersey, there was once a tradition of poorer children going around the neighbourhood and asking for food. After knocking on the door, they would shout phrases such as Ma Ho-Gignol, a request for my New Year's present. Similarly, in Gernese the word Aguinane was used to describe a gift given at New Year. While these words may sound quite different to Hogmanay, their written forms bear a slight resemblance. It's possible that they all share similar French roots. Finally, here's another possibility to consider. Scottish royals and nobility may have visited the French court or hosted French visitors. They might have been familiar with French New Year traditions or even adopted them themselves. The two countries enjoyed a very friendly relationship, even forming a defence pact in 1295. By the terms of the contract, if England invaded France or Scotland, then the other would respond by invading England. Some have speculated that Mary Queen of Scots may have helped to popularise the word Hogmanay. She had lived in France from the age of five and briefly ruled as Queen of France and Scotland until the untimely death of her husband, King Francis II. Mary returned to Scotland in 1561 and the word Hogmanay began appearing more frequently in the following centuries. So it's possible that Mary, with her French connections, was responsible for the word spreading throughout Scotland. We may never know the exact etymology of Hogmanay, whether it's Anglo-Saxon, Galic, Old Norse or French. Perhaps the name represents a blend of many different cultures over the centuries. It's a blend that reveals the rich tapestry of Scotland's history. Similarly, many Hogmanay rituals appear to come from pagan traditions, such as Celtic Sauen or Winter Solstice, while other traditions seem more rooted in Christianity. Some customs, on the other hand, are generally more secular, things that have evolved both through tradition and popular culture. Let's begin with one of the most intriguing Scottish customs, the ritual of first footing. It takes place on the 31st of December, when New Year's Eve becomes New Year's Day. People visit family and friends soon after the clock strikes midnight. The name of the tradition relates to the first foot across the threshold, the first person to enter a house in the New Year. Superstition dictates that if the person is inside already, they must leave the house and reenter. Preferably, the first footer should be a tall, dark-haired man in order to bring good fortune to the household. It's possible that this preference can be traced back to Scotland's history of Viking invasions. Historically, the sight of a fair-haired man at one's door likely signalled danger. So that might explain why the opposite, a dark-haired man, came to be considered lucky. The practice of first footing remains widespread across Scotland, as does the custom of giving symbolic gifts. It's said that the gifts must be given by the first footer. Traditional Hogmanay gifts include food and drink, shortbread, whiskey and black bun, a kind of fruitcake. These represent a wish for the recipients to be well fed, while a lump of coal wishes them warmth and comfort. The city of Dundee on Scotland's east coast has another unique tradition. In Dundee, it was once common to give preserved fish as a gift, herring that were dressed up in a skirt and bonnet made from fabric or paper. This tradition is thought to have originated in the 19th century. At the end of the year, herring barrels would be emptied. The first fish that went into the empty barrel was said to bring good fortune for the year ahead. And at some point, people started giving each other herring as gifts. The custom is still practiced in some communities, though these days the herring are mostly made of cardboard. But they're still dressed up in their Hogmanay finest, in colorful paper, paint and fabric. As to the general practice of giving gifts after midnight, it isn't clear when this began. It's possibly linked to Sallon, the Celtic Winter Festival that we've mentioned already. Sallon was about marking the end of the harvest and welcoming the winter. For pagans, it was a liminal time, when the boundaries between worlds were believed to blur. Some families set the table for loved ones who'd passed away, believing that their souls returned home for the evening. It's plausible that over time, the custom of making offerings to the spirits morphed into something else, the tradition of gift-giving as a sign of goodwill. The same is likely true of another Hogmanay tradition, the Reading of the House, or putting the House in order. In this winter version of spring cleaning, tasks should be completed by the stroke of midnight. The Reading of the House is a practical customer. If people are expecting guests in the New Year, then of course they want their home to be clean and tidy. There's also a perception of the New Year as a time of reflection and new beginnings. Many people find that beginning the year with a tidy home brings a sense of mental clarity. It leaves them free to focus on more interesting things, like getting all they can out of the year ahead. Older customs seem to carry that same message, that one should tie up loose ends in order to make a fresh start. Another requirement, alongside the cleaning, was that any outstanding debts were paid off before midnight. There's a sense of the old year being cleared away, in order to begin the new one on a positive note. Traditionally, the Reading involved removing old ashes from the fireplace, something that was both symbolic and practical. Again, this practice may be rooted in sauan traditions. Perhaps the removal of ashes represented the discarding of old spirits, while the cleaning of the home ensured that new spirits felt welcome. In some parts of Scotland, the first footer was known to carry a smoking stick. Often made of juniper and wrapped in animal hide, the stick was ignited and carried around the home. The smoking stick, which was sometimes known as a hogmanae, was thought to ward off evil spirits in the home. It would assure the family's health and wellbeing by purifying the home before the new year. The festival of sauan is thought to be one of the precursors to Halloween, as it celebrated in the US today. Customs were spread by migrants from Scotland and Ireland, becoming part of American culture, before spreading further around the globe. So if some of the hogmanae traditions seem more in keeping with modern Halloween than new year festivities, that might be why. It's possible that hogmanae and Halloween share an ancestor. Earlier, we mentioned a New Year's custom on the island of Jersey. Children would go from door to door, reciting specific phrases and receiving sweets or fruit. It sounds a little like trick or treating. In Scotland, a similar activity is known as guising. Still practice today, there are records of it taking place as early as the 1500s. Guising is associated with October 31st, but it can also take place on New Year's Eve. Traditionally, guising involved going door to door in costume or disguises, hence the name. Children put on a performance in return for treats. They sang, danced, told jokes and recited verses. Guests were only given out after a performance. The word mumming is sometimes used interchangeably with guising to describe costumed performers visiting different houses. But it also relates to something a little more theatrical, involving plays in costume and choreographed sword fights. Both mumming and guising added an element of fun to the occasion. They were a form of entertainment, delighting children and adults. These traditions likely had roots in pagan rituals. Costumes were protective. They were thought to keep a person safe from any evil spirits that might be roaming in the darkness. The Scottish authorities sometimes tried to ban such practices. In the year 1623, six costumed men were fined 40 shillings each for performing a sword dance in a churchyard and in the courtyard of a house. Over time, Scotland gradually became Christian. Many pagan rituals were either suppressed or adapted into Christian traditions. In 1560, there was a Protestant Reformation and Scotland broke away from the Catholic Church. Naturally, this had an impact on religious festivals. Celebrating Christmas was outlawed by an active parliament in 1640. Prior to this, the festive period around Christmas in New Year was known as the Draft Days. Draft, meaning silly, sums it up nicely. It was a time of eating, drinking and general merriment. This changed in Protestant Scotland because many such customs were perceived as being Catholic. This would remain the case for centuries to come. Although some families continued to celebrate Christmas in private, it wouldn't become a public holiday until 1958. This had a knock-on effect on New Year celebrations. In Scotland, New Year, rather than Christmas, was the highlight of the season. These days, Scots enjoy two consecutive days of public holiday, both the first and second of January. This gives people more time to recover from the late nights and revelry. Today, the exact nature of Hogmanet celebrations differs from place to place and, according to individual tastes. Many are keen to preserve the age-old traditions, whereas others prefer to create new experiences. Some remain indoors, keeping warm and toasty and putting all that cleaning to good use by hosting a party. As eating, drinking, games and music. Parties often continue until the early hours. Others prefer to head outdoors to one of the public events that take place across Scotland. In Edinburgh, Hogmanet celebrations typically begin with a torch-light parade accompanied by a marching band. And sometimes there's a Viking theme. As we've mentioned, some Hogmanet customs may have roots in north traditions. So, in modern celebrations, people sometimes dress up in Viking costumes, or even burn a Viking longship as part of the spectacle. Fire and smoke, used as a means of dispelling evil spirits, were common in gale culture as well as Viking. Many of the modern Hogmanet celebrations involve bonfires, fireworks and even fire eaters. Some communities have developed their own unique traditions, like the people of Stonehaven in northeast Scotland. Large balls of chicken wire are filled with flammable materials and attached to chains. When the bell on the clock tower rings to mark the new year, the materials inside the chicken wire are set a light. The people of Stonehaven set off walking, following a route around the town, while swinging fireballs around their heads. Thousands of people flock to see the swinging fireballs, which are cast into the harbour at the end of the ceremony. Given the popularity of such events with tourists, organizers in Stonehaven have added even more attractions. There are drummers and a bagpipe band and other fire-related performances. Once the last fireball is thrown into the sea, the fireworks begin. Each place does new years in its own unique way. Hogmanet in one town may be very different from festivities in another. There might be anything from street parties, live music and fireworks to Viking costume competitions and playful battle reenactments. Many are happy just to be out in company to share the occasion with friends or family. There's often a toast with the first drink of the evening. Slangevah is Scottish Gaelic, a wish for good health in the new year. Straight after midnight, people join arms and sing out the verses to Old Langzain. Old Langzain, meaning Times Long Past, bids farewell to the previous year. Written by the famed Scottish poet Robert Burns, it was based on an older folk song. In contrast to other customs which seek to leave behind the previous year, it offers a reminder to cherish our memories. It speaks to a sense of shared community and friendship, suggesting we drink a cup of kindness the Times Long Past. All things considered, it's this goodwill and friendship that runs through the history of Hogmanet traditions. It's always been an occasion that brings people together. Hogmanet customs, old and new strengthen the bonds between cultures and communities. They help people feel connected to their Scottish identity, to the history of their homeland and to each other. The New Year's Eve, the New Year's Eve, is a new year for the New Year's Eve. The New Year's Eve, the New Year's Eve, is a new year for the New Year's Eve. The New Year's Eve, the New Year's Eve, is a new year for the New Year's Eve. The New Year's Eve, the New Year's Eve, is a new year for the New Year's Eve. 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