To think Hogmanay in Scotland should go back to what it used to be?

[Salmotrutta]

People First Footing their neighbours for a wee while, having a knees up, a drink or two (and taking a First Foot offering) then going home in the wee small hours?

This ridiculous trend for Fireworks and rock bands (thanks BBC Scotland ) is so far removed from a traditional Hogmanay I just can't be arsed with it anymore.

Disclaimer: I am talking about Hogmanay in Scotland not "New Years in any other country

[Salmotrutta]

P.S. - First Footing is dying out here.

Can't remember the last time we had a genuine First Footer on Hogmanay

[Mmmmcake123]

Would love the neighbourly hogmanay again. That's what it was like for me growing up. Now texting pressures, honestly I just said that!!!!

[perpetuallybewildered]

It would be difficult to get that back, we live in different times now. I don't know most of my neighbours and I definitely wouldn't encourage some of the ones I do know to first foot me.

[ovenchips]

As an avid reader of The Broons in childhood, I would agree! Fantastic tradition. We are not Scots (though live not far from border!) but my dad and neighbour used to go first footing and somehow it seemed very special.

[LordBrightside]

Honestly, who could've arsed with all that?

[Iggi999]

Wandering around the centre of Edinburgh snogging folk without need of a ticket or crash barriers is one of my best NYs memories.

[Osolea]

It still happens in some parts of Scotland, I had the joy of experiencing it last NYE, but it was a little village in the middle of nowhere. It was fab.

[Salmotrutta]

I have amazing memories growing up of the Hogmanay visitors my parents used to have (we weren't allowed to stay up until we were mid-teens) and it was all eating, dancing, sing-song and a bit of drinking

There was ceilidh music and bothy songs and it was just grand.

[Salmotrutta]

Yes Osolea - Ithink it probably still happens in more rural communities but somehow Edinburgh's "Big Part" has overshadowed the true tradition of Hogmanay - i.e. your First Foot should be tall and dark and bring coal etc.

[Salmotrutta]

"Big Party

[JakeyBurd]

Agree. It's boring watching other people have fun on TV. I live in a small friendly community, apart from Hogmanay when they all switch the lights off and pretend they're in bed.

I too have happy memories of friendly, neighbourly Hogmanays, but as one poster said, we live in different times now. Pity.

[AgentProvocateur]

I'm just back from my neighbours. We first footed them. We had drinking and singing. I'm now drunk and tired

[rockabella]

We still have first footers in my area (west coast) but generally not right after the bells and whilst I don't live in a remote area, I'm not in a city either.

I think it's a changed world though, more and more people don't know their neighbours, or are wary of crime and with the my generation being more interested in partying that the older ways are dying out.

I'm 24 though and I ALWAYS make sure to open the windows to let the old year our and the new year in! :D

[infife]

Oh, I was visiting some friends this evening, and they had a genuine first footer (this is in Fife).

... who, after about an hour, pished over their kitchen floor!

So, I can see why the tradition might not be universally popular ;)

[mawbroon]

It would be lovely if it could go back to that, but it ain't going to happen.
Same as Hallowe'en.

[LassWiTheDelicateAir]

I've just got back in from a party. I've lived in Edinburgh since before the big Hogmanay party and I've never done traditional first footing in Edinburgh. It's always been a party at someone's house. I've never been to the street parties or the concert in the gardens.

The traditional way of being in the village square at midnight and then going round houses is still done in the village where I grew up.

[CadleCrap]

I have great memories of Hogmanay, not getting home until the 2nd of Jan. I remember my brother being sent outside before the bells, so he could come in after the bells, with the obligatory lump of coal.

[QueenofLouisiana]

My parents are eagerly awaiting our arrival this morning as DS is desperate to be their first footer.

We are in Suffolk (parents in Essex) but my family comes from Dumfries area.

[toomuchtooold]

I remember as a kid (which was not yesterday believe me), my family getting together for Hogmanay and complaining that nobody first-footed any more. From my perspective, the true Hogmanay tradition is complaining about what happened to the Hogmanay traditions...

[Littleallovertheshop]

We don't first foot, but my dad plays his bagpipes on the street at the bells. I hate them but the neighbours love it!

[Strictlyobsessed]

Yes I loved all the different generations being together when I was young Although the drunk uncles driving home was something not to return too! Nowdays the youngsters go out and leave the parents so it's just not the same. I remember some great parties in my Glasgow home, Aunties dressing up and coming in singing ! everyone doing a turn they were great times just didn't realise how much I would miss them but it will never happen again.

[AgentProvocateur]

I first footed a couple of neighbours last night. Well, DH did - he's tall, dark and handsome-ish We had great fun.

[AgentProvocateur]

Oh, for an edit button! As I pressed "post" I had déjà-vu, and I realise I already posted on this thread when I got in this morning. In my defence, I was pretty drunk I feel a right idiot now.

[PrimalLass]

We had s neighbourly drunken Hogmanay. It was fab.

[Maudofallhopefulness]

We're in Scotland and visited people round the village last night. It was lovely. We didn't bring coal though, just booze, crisps and Lidl stollen.