Hogmanay is the Scots word for 31 December, New Year’s Eve. The first-foot is the first person through your door after midnight, who brings the household good or bad luck for the year. Here are the Hogmanay words and sayings you will hear in Scotland, and what each one means, checked against the Dictionary of the Scots Language.
What does Hogmanay mean?
The dictionary defines Hogmanay as “the 31st December, the last day of the year, New Year’s Eve”. It also used to mean a New Year gift, especially oatcakes or bread given to children who came to the door on New Year’s Eve, and a Hogmanay party (DSL: Hogmanay).
Where the word comes from has been argued over for a long time. The dictionary’s view is that it most likely came from a northern French word for a New Year gift, aguillanneuf, and was borrowed into Scots before 1560.
What is first-footing?
A first-foot is “the first person to enter a house on New Year’s morning, considered as the bringer of good (or bad) luck for the year”. To first-foot is to be that visitor, “usually to present a gift and to wish the inmates luck” (DSL: first-fit). The dictionary’s oldest example comes from Fife in 1719.
Who should be your first-foot?
Not just anyone will do. Old Scottish sources in the dictionary are blunt about one thing: “It was considered very unlucky to let a fair-complexioned buddy be your first-fit” (Kirkcudbrightshire, 1877).
What the first-foot carries, the coal, the shortbread or black bun and the dram, is set out in The Love Scotland Guide No. 011: Hogmanay and our first-footing page.
What does “Lang may your lum reek” mean?
A lum is a chimney, and to reek is to smoke (DSL: reek). The dictionary calls “Lang may your lum reek” “a common expression to wish someone prosperity and plenty”: may your fire never go out (DSL: lum). You will hear it at New Year and on cards.
What is Ne’erday?
Ne’erday is New Year’s Day, 1 January. The same dictionary entry records an Old New Year’s Day too, on 12 January, from the old calendar (DSL: New Year).
What does “auld lang syne” mean?
Auld is old, and lang syne is “long ago” (DSL: syne). So the song sung at midnight is a toast to old times and old friends.
What is a handsel?
A handsel is “a gift bestowed to commemorate an inaugural occasion, event or season, e.g. the beginning of the year”. Handsel Monday, the first Monday of the New Year, was the day for giving it and was once a holiday (DSL: handsel).
Where can I find more Scottish words and sayings?
Our hub, Scottish Words and Sayings: What They Mean, has the everyday words (wee, braw, dreich, ken) and the accent pages in one place.
Last checked: 7 November 2026, against the Dictionary of the Scots Language (dsl.ac.uk).
Book Scotland Tours Early
Planning a trip to Scotland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions dampen your adventure. Iconic experiences like exploring Edinburgh Castle, cruising along Loch Ness, or wandering through the mystical Isle of Skye often fill up fast—especially during peak travel seasons.
Booking in advance holds your place on the popular summer tours, so your day goes on the castle walls and the loch shore, not in a ticket queue. It also leaves time for the quieter places most visitors drive straight past.
Make the most of your journey—start planning today and book the tours you most want to do.
***************************************************
DISCLAIMER Last updated May 29, 2023
WEBSITE DISCLAIMER
The information provided by Love to Visit LLC ('we', 'us', or 'our') on https://lovetovisitscotland.com (the 'Site') is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site.
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCE SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
EXTERNAL LINKS DISCLAIMER
The Site may contain (or you may be sent through the Site) links to other websites or content belonging to or originating from third parties or links to websites and features in banners or other advertising. Such external links are not investigated, monitored, or checked for accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness by us.
WE DO NOT WARRANT, ENDORSE, GUARANTEE, OR ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ACCURACY OR RELIABILITY OF ANY INFORMATION OFFERED BY THIRD-PARTY WEBSITES LINKED THROUGH THE SITE OR ANY WEBSITE OR FEATURE LINKED IN ANY BANNER OR OTHER ADVERTISING. WE WILL NOT BE A PARTY TO OR IN ANY WAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING ANY TRANSACTION BETWEEN YOU AND THIRD-PARTY PROVIDERS OF PRODUCTS OR SERVICES.
AFFILIATES DISCLAIMER The Site may contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links. Our affiliates include the following:
- Viator
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated websites.
