At the end of the last millenium, Kenneth III was generally considered King of Scotland, although the country itself did not exist yet. Technically he was the King of Alba, a country in the area north of the Clyde. Scotland was still undergoing its birthing pains that started in earnest 600 years earlier with the retreat of the Romans from the Isles. Once the Romans left, the Picts (from picti, Latin for "painted"), Vikings, Danes, Bretons and even portions of the Irish started battling for the territory. These Irish, known as the Scots or descendants of Scotia, had the upper hand by 1000 AD. They had recently defeated the Picts through warfare and marriage and were closely allied with Strathclyde. This seat of power would eventually defeat the Vikings, Danes and Bretons to create the boundaries of modern day Scotland. But the merging of the various cultures that took place is the real creator of the modern holiday.

At the last Millenium, Scotland was a largely pagan culture with a smattering of Christianity. Celebration of the New Year took place at various times according to local culture and tradition. The Celts celebrated the passing of the seasons according to lunar and solar cycles and it is generally accepted that the Scottish New Year started with the Spring Equinox on March 21. The darkness of winter was being replaced with the light of spring and the return of life to the world. There were other celebrations also like Imbolc, which was celebrated in midwinter, a great fire festival that celebrated the return of milk to the clans. Ewes do not produce milk until after bearing their young and milk was very important to the survival of the clan in the winter months. There was feasting, dancing and a great bonfire during the celebration.

Christianity brought with it the celebration Mass of Christ and gift giving. These customs slowly started to replace the old Celtic celebrations of the seasons and Fire festivals. But in the 1560's this all changed with the reformation and King James VI. King James VI was a Presbyterian and stoutly anti-Catholic. Christian holidays were banned including Christmas, which left New Years and the festivals for celebration as people normally only took Holy days off. This was further reinforced on December 17th, 1599 when King James also changed the official New Year in Scotland from March 25th to January 1st.

This left many of the old traditions in places that survive to this day. These include First Foot, Creaming the Well, the Bonfire from the Fire festivals and the wearing of the skins in Lewis. In this tradition, a gang of boys led by one in sheepskin move from home to home, reciting Gaelic rhyme. On being invited into the home, the leader walks clockwise around the fire or a chair while everyone else plummels the skin on his back with sticks. Before leaving, the boys are then given some bannocks for their sack and they continue this ancient custom at another locale.

"First Foot"is another tradition that requires people to set out to their neighbors after midnight. They take with them a bannock of oatcake and in many cases a bottle of whiskey for celebration. It is considered by many an omen of the New Year when the first stranger steps through the door. If the stranger is tall, dark and handsome it means good luck, while a light hair stranger is considered ill tidings by many. This might be a throwback to a thousand years ago when Viking raiders frequently came calling and a dark-haired stranger would have definitely been to one's advantage. Writing in TNT Magazine, author Kingsly Mason says,

"...the “first visitor” to a house-hold might also have bought a piece of coal or other gift, to ensure prosperity for the house-hold. This may help explain the word Hogmanay, which is generally agreed to mean a gift, originating from an old French word."
Kingsly Mason, TNT Magazine

Another custom is "Creaming the Well", is where the unmarried lassies run to the local spring or well after the passing of midnight. Creaming the Well could trace its roots back to Imbolc (see above) where the first milk was poured on the ground as a sign of prosperity and good luck in the coming year. Like the first to get a taste of milk, the first to draw water in the New Year is said to have luck in marriage. But they must get the Lad of their affections to drink from the water before the first day is over to have success. I am sure male and female participants meet this tradition with varying degrees of enthusiasm. So if a Lassie offers you water on New Years Day and you wish to remain a bachelor watch out. And I don't recommend, being on the street at the stroke of Midnight, as an unsuspecting lad could get run over by stampeding lassies on their way to the well!

All in all, the traditions of Hogmanay are as varied in origins as the people who celebrate it. From Edinburgh, Scotland to Sydney, Australia, from Ottawa, Canada to Washington, USA, wherever you are this New Year, remember Hogmany's ancient roots and enjoy the celebration!

BW, December, 1999

Links:

Alba

The Picts

The Scots

Kenneth III in Britannica

More about Kenneth III

Imbolc Festival

First Foot

First Scottish New Year

Personal Memories of Hogmanay

Hogmanay: Scotland's Millenium Guide