As midnight comes you open the windows to hear the bells and as i live in a port town so all the ships also let go with the foghorns, then its one big party till about the 6th of Jan, visit family and friends or they come to yours,SO HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY YIR LUMS ALWAYS REEK.
Im both Scottish and irish american and even though i didnt grow up in a family trying to uphold old traditions, weve always done a few of these things every year just naturally. of course not every single thing is done exactly the same, but its cool to see parallels between my family and our ancestors. Very cool
Besides the fact that it's a fascinating and interesting video, it's definitely easy to understand for non-natives! I'm actually planning on using it for listening comprehension tasks for my students, I hope they'll enjoy the spirit of Hogmanay as much as I did))
Hi. I knew nothing about Hogmanay, but your story was intriguing and very important. Learning new cultural customs means so much to me. Especially the one from Scottland. Thank you from my heart and I wish you all a wonderful Christmas. Greetings from Inger and Sweden.
I like how no matter how hard you try, you can't explain the mental-ness that is Edinburgh at Hogmanay. bearing in mind this is like just 2 weeks after the massive Christmas Market. it's always good fun, though unbelievably loud at times
I went to Hogmanay in 2009 when I was stationed in the UK. Had no idea what it was but it was nuts. There's a street in Edinburgh that is nothing but pubs (Cherry St.?). One the drunkest times I've ever had.
Almost hogmany in Scotland and ive been 'redding' the house, we open our windows before the Bells to let the old year blow out and the new year in. We cant leave our home until a dark haired handsome man comes to our door to first foot us, usually the oldest male in the home does this in our family anyway. We have the place looking spotless, make some steakpie, cocktail sticks and traditionally in our home hot peas and vinegar. We always watched a film called The Steamie and then got the singing started that set us up for whoever may pass bye looking for a party😁
In Northern Ireland, alternate Broons and Oor Wullie Annuals are STILL an staple Christmas present for me....And I wouldn't have it any other way! They're BRAW! HELP MA' BOAB!😂😂😂
My family in Scotland has always recognized and celebrated Christmas as far as I know. For at least the past 150 years. it wasn't made a public holiday until 1958. Boxing day wasn't made a public holiday till 1974. Merry xmas & Lang may yer lum reek.
Boxing day might be classed as an official holiday but it's anything but for many in non essential industries. I mean, some of the supermarkets that are normally open from 7am to 9 or 10 pm were open from 6am to 12 midnight. That's how they thank their staff at this time of year. Time we sent these shops a message by refusing to use them on these days. Horrible b****ds
Your family may have celebrated it, but it would have been done quietly and privately because being caught would have meant punishment and even imprisonment! Christmas was banned here for nearly 400 years which is why we go 'full on' with the New Year celebrations.
I'm from Edinburgh originally but live in England now, the Edinburgh hogmonay night was amazing before the council commercialised it, we used to aw meet under the Tron kirk in the Royal. Mile and drink the night away, now its wrist bands, and paying to stand on yer own streets was so much better back in the day. Can't get black Bun doon here for first fittin so need to vary it a bit but a Dram is never far away. Happy Christmas and a braw New year when it comes. Tae yin and aw. 🏴🏴🏴🏴
It is not a fun time on New Year's Eve when your mum is running around cleaning and screaming at you for messing things up, it is stressful. But hey, you don't have to do as much cleaning on New Year's Day.
Auld Lang syne, the crossing of the arms only happens on the second verse and chorus. The rest of the video is pretty good and brings memories of being forced to clean as a child. In my own Glaswegian dialect the pronunciation is closer to hugmanay. And Lang may yir lum reek.
Good explanations. When I was sma!! 1960s through to the 1980s my mother and grand mother would serve a 3 course meal after the bells (midnight when the churches all ring their bells). This was to make sure anyone going first footing did not drink on an empty stomach. I didn't see fireworks displays until I was in my 30s in Glasgow, the 1990s, they are a recent addition. First footing in Glasgow and Edinburgh tenements never included back doors, there were none. People swapped doors and acted as first foot to neighbours. Oh and it is New Year singular not New Years unless as part of New Year's Eve. Equally important is Ne'erday the 1st of January. This is the only guaranteed holiday, a one day event and has been set in law for over 150years. In Scotland Christmas day was not a public holiday for a long time but Ne'erday was. In England Christmas day was a holiday but not Ne'erday. Nowadays we get Christmas day, Boxing Day and Ne'erday across the UK.
Christmas Day was a regular day in England for a long time too and Epiphany/Twelth Night was the main celebration...until the Victorians re-invented Christmas and then it changed again
First Footing is much more than bringing good luck to your house. It's the one time of year when even your worst enemy could come to your door and you cannot turn him away. You must give him your hand and warm welcome. He comes in and gives you a drink from his bottle and in return gets one from you, then everyone moves on to the next house. You rarely stay all night, it's more like a rolling party. I know it sounds strange, but it means that no one carries petty grudges or ill will into the New Year, you start with a clean slate. In a martial society where family feuds could last generations, it prevented a lot of bloodshed over minor arguments. Your First Foot should be "tall, dark and handsome", blond men were considered unlucky, as they were probably Vikings 🤣
@@Dooglefied , I learned it from my mother, who in turn learned it from my Gran. Unfortunately, the only book I've ever seen that covers Hogmanay traditions is the "Broons" 😂 The BBC always have great Scottish programs on New Year's Eve. They've done some good historical dramas that show how it used to be done, the "Steamie" is a good example. Most are available on BBC I Player.
The lighting of bonfires was more an encouragement to the Sun to return. My brother was chosen as the first footer because he was dark haired, now he's bald so exempt. I was fair but now I'm fairer. If you ever get chance to celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland, don't hesitate just do it, I promise you will not regret it.
These days there’s not many of these traditions. People just get with their families and get drunk. Others go to the parties w fireworks and stuff like mentioned in the video and stuff but it’s nothing really different from many places. The history is interesting tho. Songs like auld lang syne, flower of Scotland & Loch Lomond are sung coming up to and after midnight. Never heard of giving coal but people usually bring whiskey, wine, champagne. Never heard of magic water either lol. If you like fire and stuff your fave tradition would be Guy Fawkes night. It’s in memory of a guy who blew himself up while blowing up the Houses of Parliament in England. We set a ‘guy’ on fire (made of wood etc) and there’s various fireworks displays. Years ago on Halloween instead of trick or treat people would say “penny for the guy” and you’d use the money you collect to build your guy to burn down on Guy Fawkes night. That no longer exists tho. From a Scot lol
Just a few wee tips. You start out well with Hogmanay, however, slipped to Hogmany all too quickly - it really just is Hog'man'Ae. "Auld lang syne" the syne is as you'd say "sign" it's not "zine" - drive us Scots mad this one, but so many say it wrong. Edinburgh Fireworks - only really became a thing in early 1990's - fireworks set off from the castle is a stunning sight, and only in the last 30 years - before that fireworks at Hogmanay was never a thing - it's a touristy sort of "tradition", same with the fire walk. There's a far older firewalk in Stonehaven on the north east coast, then into the new year we have the celebrations in Shetland. Hogmanay was generally kept more local with friends and neighbours gathering for a party "after the bells", those going round to someone else's house then would become the first foot. Also, with the bells, there would be a tradition of opening up your front and back doors, to let out the old year and welcome in the new. As for the period of "holiday" (American use) it's really just two days, 1st and 2nd, Hogmanay or the 31/12 is not a holiday. As for "holiday season", I know the USA calls things slightly differently, probably why we're subjected to weeks of Christmas now. Finally, as for the how us Scots celebrate the time from 25/12 to 02/01, yes, I remember well and it still is to a degree, Hogmanay is bigger in Scotland than Christmas. Used to find it odd seeing English TV showing small New Year celebrations in Trafalgar Square (no fireworks and no massive parties) then everything was back to normal on the 2nd.
honestly if you ever visit Scotland as an American come to Aberdeen at your own risk on Hogmanay it's wonderful but there's a few "junkies" that celebrate Hogmanay a bit more then anyone else other then that I love the city I was born in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is the best place on earth and if you're ever in Huntly say hi to my auntie Julie for me she's got her own desert café
I was reading once that a first foot couldn't be a redhead because if a redhead were first foot, that would bring bad luck through that particular household for the coming year. Did they really think that?
old comment but anyway yeah that is true I'm ginger and Scottish and ma family is very strict in the fact that my brother who has dark hair must first foot otherwise we will all have bad luck - the first footer should be 'tall dark and handsome'
Interesting that the first known reference to Hogmanay is from the houshold accounts of Sir Robert Waterton of Methley, Yorkshire, England in 1444. It records payments for a big 'hogmanayse' and little 'hogmanayse'. And there is no record at all of the phrase or custom of 'first footing' before 1800 - so hardly an ancient tradition.
@@fungusamongus8630 I am Ulster Scots I speak it it is recognised as a language by by our government and here in Northern Ireland and in Scotland the Scots language was spoken before English was established in sasanact land (England) I thought you guys would have knew that I am 70% scots by language and DNA AND 29,% Irish 1% viking And a member of Ecclesia Scotia wich is Presbyterian Church of Scotland, do not ever say I am from skotland
The tearful passionate rendition of Caledonia is the best part of the night, typically the crescendo
As midnight comes you open the windows to hear the bells and as i live in a port town so all the ships also let go with the foghorns, then its one big party till about the 6th of Jan, visit family and friends or they come to yours,SO HAPPY NEW YEAR AND MAY YIR LUMS ALWAYS REEK.
We also do this in England. Mainly the north of England.
Thank you Eric! Loved hearing the background on Hogmanay. I Plan on having a Great Scottish New Year.
It sounds so wonderful
Yes, we still “red the hoose oot” to this day. Happy 2024 and here’s to a better year coming.
Im both Scottish and irish american and even though i didnt grow up in a family trying to uphold old traditions, weve always done a few of these things every year just naturally. of course not every single thing is done exactly the same, but its cool to see parallels between my family and our ancestors. Very cool
Besides the fact that it's a fascinating and interesting video, it's definitely easy to understand for non-natives! I'm actually planning on using it for listening comprehension tasks for my students, I hope they'll enjoy the spirit of Hogmanay as much as I did))
Hi. I knew nothing about Hogmanay, but your story was intriguing and very important. Learning new cultural customs means so much to me. Especially the one from Scottland. Thank you from my heart and I wish you all a wonderful Christmas. Greetings from Inger and Sweden.
Thank you for giving us greater historical insight into this wonderful holiday tradition!
Thanks so much for this excellent presentation!
I like how no matter how hard you try, you can't explain the mental-ness that is Edinburgh at Hogmanay. bearing in mind this is like just 2 weeks after the massive Christmas Market. it's always good fun, though unbelievably loud at times
I went to Hogmanay in 2009 when I was stationed in the UK. Had no idea what it was but it was nuts. There's a street in Edinburgh that is nothing but pubs (Cherry St.?). One the drunkest times I've ever had.
Rose street 😉
Almost hogmany in Scotland and ive been 'redding' the house, we open our windows before the Bells to let the old year blow out and the new year in. We cant leave our home until a dark haired handsome man comes to our door to first foot us, usually the oldest male in the home does this in our family anyway. We have the place looking spotless, make some steakpie, cocktail sticks and traditionally in our home hot peas and vinegar. We always watched a film called The Steamie and then got the singing started that set us up for whoever may pass bye looking for a party😁
Thanks for an excellent presentation. Most enjoyable and very informative. Best of the season.
Thank you! And Happy Hogamany to you as well!
I didn't find out about my ancestry until january. We were told we were irish. I'm learning a lot.
Excellent explanation of the transition, Eric!
First Footing is also done in Northern England.
All I can say is, very well said
Oor Wullie or the Broons annuals will teach anyone about Hogmanay .
If you not read them look them up.
In Northern Ireland, alternate Broons and Oor Wullie Annuals are STILL an staple Christmas present for me....And I wouldn't have it any other way! They're BRAW! HELP MA' BOAB!😂😂😂
I be in Glasgow 28th 29th for the Rangers game at a friend's then up the road to Port Glasgow 30th to the 3rd joy's of having family members.
My family in Scotland has always recognized and celebrated Christmas as far as I know. For at least the past 150 years. it wasn't made a public holiday until 1958. Boxing day wasn't made a public holiday till 1974. Merry xmas & Lang may yer lum reek.
Boxing day might be classed as an official holiday but it's anything but for many in non essential industries. I mean, some of the supermarkets that are normally open from 7am to 9 or 10 pm were open from 6am to 12 midnight. That's how they thank their staff at this time of year. Time we sent these shops a message by refusing to use them on these days. Horrible b****ds
Your family may have celebrated it, but it would have been done quietly and privately because being caught would have meant punishment and even imprisonment! Christmas was banned here for nearly 400 years which is why we go 'full on' with the New Year celebrations.
This is a fantastic video, and I really appreciate you doing this. Another thing you guys have taught me about my own personal history!
Thanks, Eric! I had heard of Hogmanay but never understood what it really was (other than Scottish New Years)! :)
So very informative!! A great lesson on some older traditions! Thank you and blssed be!
I'm from Edinburgh originally but live in England now, the Edinburgh hogmonay night was amazing before the council commercialised it, we used to aw meet under the Tron kirk in the Royal. Mile and drink the night away, now its wrist bands, and paying to stand on yer own streets was so much better back in the day.
Can't get black Bun doon here for first fittin so need to vary it a bit but a Dram is never far away. Happy Christmas and a braw New year when it comes. Tae yin and aw. 🏴🏴🏴🏴
This was wonderful. Thanks for making this video.
I'm 1/4 Scottish. I want to start embracing my Scottish heretidge so perhaps I should celebrate Hogmanay.
Go to Scotland for it. It's insane.
What's the other 3/4?
Thank you for this, great presentation
As long as it does NOT involve Haggis I’m down for it!🎉🎉🎉
Thank you, Eric!!
So we go from deep house cleaning to setting things on fire? I can get down with Hogmanay.
It is not a fun time on New Year's Eve when your mum is running around cleaning and screaming at you for messing things up, it is stressful.
But hey, you don't have to do as much cleaning on New Year's Day.
Don't forget booze before breakfast. Count me in!
Nicely done! Thanks and Happy Hogmanay!
Auld Lang syne, the crossing of the arms only happens on the second verse and chorus. The rest of the video is pretty good and brings memories of being forced to clean as a child. In my own Glaswegian dialect the pronunciation is closer to hugmanay. And Lang may yir lum reek.
Thanks for the explanation Eric. I knew some of these traditions but not all so this was informative.
now that's awesome ....
Good explanations. When I was sma!! 1960s through to the 1980s my mother and grand mother would serve a 3 course meal after the bells (midnight when the churches all ring their bells). This was to make sure anyone going first footing did not drink on an empty stomach. I didn't see fireworks displays until I was in my 30s in Glasgow, the 1990s, they are a recent addition. First footing in Glasgow and Edinburgh tenements never included back doors, there were none. People swapped doors and acted as first foot to neighbours. Oh and it is New Year singular not New Years unless as part of New Year's Eve. Equally important is Ne'erday the 1st of January. This is the only guaranteed holiday, a one day event and has been set in law for over 150years. In Scotland Christmas day was not a public holiday for a long time but Ne'erday was. In England Christmas day was a holiday but not Ne'erday. Nowadays we get Christmas day, Boxing Day and Ne'erday across the UK.
Christmas Day was a regular day in England for a long time too and Epiphany/Twelth Night was the main celebration...until the Victorians re-invented Christmas and then it changed again
First Footing is much more than bringing good luck to your house. It's the one time of year when even your worst enemy could come to your door and you cannot turn him away. You must give him your hand and warm welcome. He comes in and gives you a drink from his bottle and in return gets one from you, then everyone moves on to the next house. You rarely stay all night, it's more like a rolling party.
I know it sounds strange, but it means that no one carries petty grudges or ill will into the New Year, you start with a clean slate.
In a martial society where family feuds could last generations, it prevented a lot of bloodshed over minor arguments.
Your First Foot should be "tall, dark and handsome", blond men were considered unlucky, as they were probably Vikings 🤣
Hey David, I'm studying Gaelic holidays and traditions and I'm wondering if you can reccomend any texts for me. Where did you learn about this?
@@Dooglefied , I learned it from my mother, who in turn learned it from my Gran. Unfortunately, the only book I've ever seen that covers Hogmanay traditions is the "Broons" 😂
The BBC always have great Scottish programs on New Year's Eve. They've done some good historical dramas that show how it used to be done, the "Steamie" is a good example. Most are available on BBC I Player.
How interesting.
I brought coal to my granny during first footing and I never knew why we do that until now, thanks :)
Thank you very much.
The lighting of bonfires was more an encouragement to the Sun to return.
My brother was chosen as the first footer because he was dark haired, now he's bald so exempt. I was fair but now I'm fairer.
If you ever get chance to celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland, don't hesitate just do it, I promise you will not regret it.
These days there’s not many of these traditions. People just get with their families and get drunk. Others go to the parties w fireworks and stuff like mentioned in the video and stuff but it’s nothing really different from many places. The history is interesting tho. Songs like auld lang syne, flower of Scotland & Loch Lomond are sung coming up to and after midnight. Never heard of giving coal but people usually bring whiskey, wine, champagne. Never heard of magic water either lol. If you like fire and stuff your fave tradition would be Guy Fawkes night. It’s in memory of a guy who blew himself up while blowing up the Houses of Parliament in England. We set a ‘guy’ on fire (made of wood etc) and there’s various fireworks displays. Years ago on Halloween instead of trick or treat people would say “penny for the guy” and you’d use the money you collect to build your guy to burn down on Guy Fawkes night. That no longer exists tho. From a Scot lol
Guy Fawkes did not blow himself up - he was arrested and executed .
Great video!
Прекрасно рассказано, спасибо, было интересно послушать! :)
Just a few wee tips. You start out well with Hogmanay, however, slipped to Hogmany all too quickly - it really just is Hog'man'Ae. "Auld lang syne" the syne is as you'd say "sign" it's not "zine" - drive us Scots mad this one, but so many say it wrong. Edinburgh Fireworks - only really became a thing in early 1990's - fireworks set off from the castle is a stunning sight, and only in the last 30 years - before that fireworks at Hogmanay was never a thing - it's a touristy sort of "tradition", same with the fire walk. There's a far older firewalk in Stonehaven on the north east coast, then into the new year we have the celebrations in Shetland. Hogmanay was generally kept more local with friends and neighbours gathering for a party "after the bells", those going round to someone else's house then would become the first foot. Also, with the bells, there would be a tradition of opening up your front and back doors, to let out the old year and welcome in the new. As for the period of "holiday" (American use) it's really just two days, 1st and 2nd, Hogmanay or the 31/12 is not a holiday. As for "holiday season", I know the USA calls things slightly differently, probably why we're subjected to weeks of Christmas now. Finally, as for the how us Scots celebrate the time from 25/12 to 02/01, yes, I remember well and it still is to a degree, Hogmanay is bigger in Scotland than Christmas. Used to find it odd seeing English TV showing small New Year celebrations in Trafalgar Square (no fireworks and no massive parties) then everything was back to normal on the 2nd.
honestly if you ever visit Scotland as an American come to Aberdeen at your own risk on Hogmanay it's wonderful but there's a few "junkies" that celebrate Hogmanay a bit more then anyone else other then that I love the city I was born in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire is the best place on earth and if you're ever in Huntly say hi to my auntie Julie for me she's got her own desert café
I’m Italian, we just win the euro porco dinci. Thanks for your video im doing a school progect
AWESOME!!!
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just an fyi you dinny hold hands until the lyric
Im Scottish we call it Nerdy theres first fit in (foot in the door after midnight they must bring a gift years of old coal now a bottle!!
I was reading once that a first foot couldn't be a redhead because if a redhead were first foot, that would bring bad luck through that particular household for the coming year. Did they really think that?
old comment but anyway yeah that is true I'm ginger and Scottish and ma family is very strict in the fact that my brother who has dark hair must first foot otherwise we will all have bad luck - the first footer should be 'tall dark and handsome'
don’t think my family’s done a thing you’ve said
Who here is from red green
Interesting that the first known reference to Hogmanay is from the houshold accounts of Sir Robert Waterton of Methley, Yorkshire, England in 1444.
It records payments for a big 'hogmanayse' and little 'hogmanayse'.
And there is no record at all of the phrase or custom of 'first footing' before 1800 - so hardly an ancient tradition.
Holyrood is pronounced 'HOLLYrood'
It's NOT THE SCOTS DIALECT IT THE SCOTS LANGUAGE,
@@fungusamongus8630 I am Ulster Scots I speak it it is recognised as a language by by our government and here in Northern Ireland and in Scotland the Scots language was spoken before English was established in sasanact land (England) I thought you guys would have knew that I am 70% scots by language and DNA AND 29,% Irish 1% viking
And a member of Ecclesia Scotia wich is Presbyterian Church of Scotland, do not ever say I am from skotland
@@fungusamongus8630 check out langfocus The Scots language (or dialect)
Wow such superstition ..crazy..what people make up and believe .