Let’s eat, drink and be merry
First-footing – a much-loved tradition people do on Hogmanay, a Scottish New Year celebration.
It is supposed to bring luck and prosperity to the household for the coming year. It is a ritual involving the first person to step into a home from the outside after the bells toll on January 1.
And in Lanarkshire it is certainly a busy time for anyone who wants to ring in the Bells with a party.
Hotels all over the region have Hogmanay party nights planned – from traditional ceilidhs to dance nights, there is something for everyone.
For anyone spending time in Lanarkshire, you can be sure of a toe-tapping tune and a dance – and a hearty sing-a-long is almost a guarantee. It’s certainly not a quiet affair.
Traditional Scottish music will reverberate around Ayrshire for a couple of days
You’ll hear street pipers blast their songs, energetic fiddle sessions and the gentle melodies of folk songs echoing from inside pubs.
So, what happens when you mix our traditional music with a spot of dancing? You get a proper Scottish Hogmanay bash!
You can practise your main ceilidh dances before you go, from the Gay Gordons to the Dashing White Sergeant or Strip the Willow.
In true Scots style, the festivities wouldn’t be complete without a hefty serving of heart-warming scran. Wash it down with a wee (or muckle) dram and you’ll be happier than a Scotsman in a kilt.
Black Bun – Essentially a fruit cake garnished with a Scottish twist, black bun consists of raisins, currants, almonds, citrus peel, allspice, ginger, cinnamon and black pepper.
The icing on this beauty happens to come in the form of pastry – and lots of it. Back in the day, black bun was consumed on the Twelfth Night yet nowadays, devouring this scrumptious cake is ingrained into Hogmanay rituals, with many firstfooters gifting it too.
Pair it with whisky and you’ll be dancing on the tables in no time.
Steak pie – A farmer’s favourite and meat eater’s delight, steak pie seems to be a mandatory meal for many households across Scotland, especially on Hogmanay.
Displayed in abundance at every local butcher, there is a big demand for this hearty delight.
Tipsy Laird –Tipsy Laird is a trifle with a Scottish flair (the flair being an impressive spalsh of whisky or Drambuie).
A little softer than your average trifle, tipsy laird is bursting with booze, a delicious helping of custard, plenty fresh fruit and layers of fluffy whipped cream.
Shortbread – Buttery and sprinkled with a touch of sugar, shortbread adorns every Scottish kitchen, shop, restaurant and gut between Christmas and New Year.
Whisky – Like all Scottish occasions, Hogmanay festivities are inundated with unfathomable amounts of whisky.
The perfect tipple to contemplate the past year and embrace the new, it is best appreciated with a droplet of water.