Hogmanay

Hogmanay is a festival celebrated from the evening of 31 December until the early hours of 1 January.

Traditionally, the so-called ‘Black Bun’ is served, a fruit cake wrapped in pastry. Originally, it was a kind of Twelfth Night cake, which was eaten on the 12th night, that is, the night of 6 January. This tradition was introduced in 1561 by Mary, Queen of Scots, on her return from France.
During the Reformation in the 16th century, festivities on Christian holidays were severely restricted. It was not until the 19th century that the tradition of the Black Bun was revived.

Another tradition is ‘First Footing’.
This involves stepping over the neighbour’s threshold with a glass of whisky, a piece of coal, a Black Bun, shortbread and salt.