Scottish Hogmanay traditions
Key Takeaways
- Auld Lang Syne is sung at midnight on New Year’s Eve, with everyone linking arms. Written by Scottish poet Robert Burns, it celebrates friendship and the passage of time.
- Loony Dook is a fun New Year’s Day tradition where brave participants take a chilly dip in the Firth of Forth in South Queensferry and nearby beaches to welcome the year.
- First Footing sees the first person to enter your home after midnight bring good luck for the year ahead, a practice dating back to the Viking era.
- Scottish Black Bun Cake is a rich fruit cake containing dried fruits, spices, and whisky, traditionally shared at Hogmanay to bring good fortune.
- These unique Scottish traditions combine fun, friendship, and symbolism, making Hogmanay a festive and culturally rich way to start the new year.
Embrace the unique Hogmanay Scottish traditions that bring luck, charm, and their own quirkiness to 2026.
Auld Lang Syne
A song that is sang in harmony by everyone, everywhere, linking arms all at once as soon as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve. Auld Lang Syne depicts friendship and the progression of time. Written by renowned Scottish poet Robert Burns (Rabbie Burns), who hailed from the small town of Alloway in Ayrshire, this poem has now become a staple of New Year celebrations worldwide. “And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere. And gie’s a hand o’ thine.” It symbolises a gesture of friendship and asking for the same in return.
Loony Dook
Fancy a dip? Grab a towel, a change of clothes, and have a hot drink at hand. The Loony Dook meaning “lunatic dip” is a tradition, which previously started as a joke and is held in South Queensferry and surrounding beaches including North Berwick, St Andrews and Portobello on the afternoon of New Year’s Day. Dating back to 1986, this tradition sees crowds gathering on the beaches and running into the Firth of Forth waters to revitalize themselves and welcome in the New Year. Feeling brave? Check out the previous event here.
First Footing
This is a charming Scottish tradition where the first person to step through your front door at the bells is believed to bring in good luck for the year ahead. It is thought that this tradition dates to the Viking era. So, make sure your first footer enters with all the added charm and charisma after the clock strikes midnight.
Scottish Black Bun Cake
Black Bun Cake is a traditional Scottish fruit cake that can be shared with loved ones during the Hogmanay celebrations. The cake is said to bring good fortune for the New Year ahead. It contains dried fruits, spices and a splash of whisky, and holds a favorable place as one of Scotland’s traditional holiday sweet treats.
If you’re visiting Scotland, be sure to take part in the Hogmanay traditions and immerse yourself in the Scottish culture. It is the perfect way to start the New Year on the right foot.