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The celebration of Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year, is a mixture of Pagan and Christian rituals that are now celebrated in many parts of the world in one form or another. Because of long-standing Scottish belief that Christmas is superstitious and tacky, most Scots don't celebrate it (it was also outlawed during the reformation), making Hogmanay the primary holiday of the "Christmas Season". This year, many large street parties are expected to be held across Scotland to celebrate the arrival of the year 2000. In modern times huge street parties take place in cities across Scotland on the eve of the new year, with the largest being in Edinburgh, followed by Glasgow. It has been estimated that in the 96/97 Hogmanay, 300,000 people took place in Edinburgh's street party (nearly two-thirds of Edinburgh's 450,000 population). This turned out to be too many, however, and since then it has been a ticketed event. In the street party leading up to midnight, there is a good deal of music, drinking (the public drinking ban is lifted), dancing, people having a good time in general. The celebration reaches its peak at midnight itself when bells ring throughout the city, couples kiss, and a lone piper plays Robbie Burns' "Auld Lang Syne". This is by no means the end of the party however, and many continue dancing and partying until the dawn of first light. Going by ticket sales, it is estimated that about 200,000 people will attend this year's Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh. So have a safe and happy Hogmanay, and be sure to check out our Robbie Burns feature to bone up on the lyrics to "Auld Lang Syne". SBB, December, 1999 Links: Hogmanay Traditions Hogmanay.net Hogmanay: Scotland's Millenium Guide
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