Hogmanay in Scotland
December 31 · Level 10 · #61 of 2238
Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year, the biggest winter celebration in the country. It is loud, warm and full of old customs.
How it is celebrated: at midnight people join hands and sing Auld Lang Syne, which has words by Robert Burns. Then comes first-footing, when the first guest over the threshold brings symbolic gifts such as coal, whisky or shortbread. Edinburgh hosts a huge street party.
In Stonehaven, at midnight, people walk down the High Street swinging blazing fireballs on wire cables above their heads.