The Loony Dook, , New Years Day

Dec 20, 2018 12:37 GMT How to Celebrate Hogmanay Like a Local

Hogmanay is, without a doubt, the biggest party in and the biggest New Year celebration in the UK.

Encompassing more than just 31 December, the celebrations continue up until 2 January – a public holiday. Ranging from fireballs being swung in the air to ceilidhs underneath castles, New Year in Scotland is like no other.

There is more to celebrating Hogmanay than having a few drams. Here are a few ways to celebrate like a local:

• Take a dip in the sea

The Loony Dook takes place every year on New Year’s Day. This tradition, which began in the mid-1980’s, sees up to a thousand people jump into the freezing for charity. What began as an attempt to rid the hangover of the night before has now become a tradition among locals and Hogmanay visitors from across the world. Those brave enough to take the plunge or ‘dook’ march along the street behind a pipe band in costumes and fancy dress, bracing themselves for the cold dip ahead!

• Practice First Footing

In Scotland the first person to enter the house after midnight on New Year’s Eve is said to affect the fortune of the household for the year ahead. They should come bearing gifts, traditionally being a lump of coal, a black bun, shortbread and whisky, and be a dark-haired male. Someone with fair hair is said to bring bad luck, believed to be a throwback to the Viking invasion when a fair-haired male on the doorstep meant anything but good luck. • Clean the house

Another old Scottish custom is redding – the act of cleaning the house before midnight on New Year’s Eve, to start the next year afresh. It was of particular importance to clear the ashes of old fires in the days when coal fires were common.

• Don’t cross your hands for Auld Lang Syne

Written by the famous Scottish poet, Robbie Burns, Auld Lang Syne was put to music and became the New Year song. Although a Scottish poem, Auld Lang Syne can be heard sung across the UK when the clock strikes midnight. In Scotland it is tradition to hold hands with the people next to you, only crossing hands over on the final verse. It is a misconception in many other parts of the world that hands should be crossed over from the beginning of the song.

To find out about the events taking place across the country visit https://www.visitscotland.com/see-do/events/christmas-winter- festivals/hogmanay/

Notes to Editors

• Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. • The organisation’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020. • This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.

• The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland. • Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP • For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/ • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh) • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com • For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com

Scotland’s Themed Years

• Following an industry consultation, the Themed Years will now take place every second year to enable more time for planning and opportunities for collaboration. • 2020 has been designated as a year in which Scotland’s Coasts and Waters will be showcased and celebrated with a programme of activity designed to support the nation’s tourism and events sectors. • The year, led by VisitScotland will sustain and build upon the momentum of Scotland’s preceding Themed Years to spotlight, celebrate and promote opportunities to experience and enjoy Scotland’s unrivalled Coasts and Waters, encouraging responsible engagement and participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors. • A year-long programme of events, activities and ideas will shine a spotlight on the impact our waters have had on Scotland, from the formation of beautiful natural features to the creation of our national drink – whisky. • Join the conversation using #YCW2020 • 2022 will be the Year of Scotland’s Stories - a celebration of our rich literature, film, oral traditions and myths and legends. Contacts

Chelsea Charles Press Contact Scotland’s Themed Years Communications & Engagement Manager Contact for media enquiries on: Scotland’s Themed Years (i.e. 2018 Year of Young People; 2020 Year of Scotland's Coast and Waters; 2022 Year of Scotland's Stories) [email protected] 0131 472 2067

Carrie MacWilliam Press Contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - National Contact for media enquiries on: Travel media (Scotland); Year of Young People; UK Marketing; Dundee; ; Angus; Perthshire [email protected] 0131 472 2052 Out of hours - 0131 472 2324

Amelia Whittaker Press Contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - Regional Contact for media enquiries on: South Region; Edinburgh and Lothians; Food and Drink; Scottish Thistle Awards [email protected] 01750 723806 Out of hours - 0131 472 2324