Hogmanay

 

What does the Scottish word Hogmanay mean?

Hogmanay is the word for the last day of the year and is synonymous with the celebration of the Scottish New Year. In the Scots language, New Year’s Eve has been widely known as Hogmanay since at least the 17th century. Some sources suggest it could have been adopted since Mary, Queen of Scots’ returned to Scotland from France in 1561. It is thought to derive from the French word ‘hoginane’ meaning ‘gala day’.

How do they say Happy New Year in Scotland?

In Scots they say ‘haud Hogmanay’ to celebrate the end of the old year and, once the New Year comes in, they call it ‘Ne’rday’ or ‘Neerday’ for New Year’s Day.

Where did Hogmanay come from?

The large Hogmanay celebrations, of the likes we see now, date back to pagan times many hundreds of years ago, when people used to mark the end of the harvest and the end of the year with a festival called Samhain.

Later, this became a midwinter Yule festival, which continued when Catholicism became the nation’s main religion. The period of celebrations became known as the ‘daft days’ with people eating and drinking lots, enjoying parties and bonfires, and visiting and hosting neighbors.

Why is Scottish New Year so big?

In 1560, there were lots of arguments about how the Christian religion should be practiced in a period known as the Reformation.

People bringing in religious changes didn’t approve of all the partying and they banned or strongly discouraged feasts that were associated with Catholicism, including Christ’s Mass – that is, Christmas.

By 1640, an Act of Parliament had officially banned the Christmas break, so it is believed that this is what pushed all the partying and fun to New Year instead.

Even though this Act was partially withdrawn in the late 17th Century, the new year remained the big moment for celebrating in Scotland. It was only in 1958 that Christmas became a public holiday in Scotland – later than the rest of the UK.

Bonfires and Fire Celebrations

Another tradition often practiced during the Scottish New Year are bonfires and fire festivals, which may have pagan or Viking origins. The use of fire to purify and drive away evil spirits is an ancient idea.

One of the most spectacular fire ceremonies that take place today is held in Stonehaven. This unique festival sees 60 fireball swingers dressed in costume parade down the High Street swinging their lit 2ft round cages filled with paraffin-soaked rags in a spectacular display to celebrate Hogmanay. The fire is thought to represent the power of the sun and again is a nod to the Winter Solstice celebrations where the fire is thought to purify the world of evil spirit.

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