What Is Hogmanay And What Do You Do On Hogmanay?

The origins of the word Hogmanay are not really known. The Scandinavian word for the feast preceding Yule was "Hoggo-nott" while the Flemish words 'hoog min dag' means 'great love day'. There are many Flemish influences in the Scots language.  Another theory is that Hogmanay could have it's origins in the Anglo-Saxon, Haleg monath or Holy Month, or even the Gaelic, 'oge maidne' or new morning. Others argue that the most likely source is the French- 'Homme est né' or 'Man is born'.
Scotch Presbyterian Eloquence, 1693 stated that
"It is ordinary among some Plebians in the South of Scotland, to go about from door to door upon New Year`s Eve, crying Hagmane."

In Shetland, where the Viking influence was strongest, New Year is called Yules,. The celebration of the New Year probably goes back into pre-history and the celebration of the winter solstice. The long hours of darkness and the effects on agriculture and animals were very important for survival and the coming of longer days and better weather would have been crucial for life.
In some areas it's traditional to First foot. This is usually done by a dark haired man often carrying a gift or a piece of coal. It's thought that a fair haired man is bad luck because around the time of the Viking invasions a fair haired man might mean trouble! Women don't usually perform first footing.
Handselling - the custom of gift giving on the first Monday of the New Year has died out.
It's a great pity that a lot of these old traditions are dying out as they were a family and community affair that brought people together and involved a lot of fun