|
More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
|
New Year
|
|
By contrast with the private celebration within the family at *Christmas, New Year festivities in Britain tend to be more public, out in the streets or at parties with friends. The best known gathering places on the night of December 31 are Trafalgar Square in London, George Square in Glasgow and the area round Tron Church in Edinburgh. The most widespread custom on the stroke of midnight is the singing of *Auld Lang Syne.
|
|
|
|
In Scotland the New Year and its celebrations are collectively known as Hogmanay, a word of uncertain origin which first appeared in the 17C. There and in northern England the tradition of first-footing survives, with the old belief that the good or bad luck of the coming year will be affected by whoever first steps through the door after midnight (a dark tall handsome man is the luckiest). On a more practical level those going first-footing are traditionally expected to bring something for the fire, something for the table and, most important of all, something in a bottle, usually whisky.
|
|
|
|
New Year's Day (Jan. 1) is a *bank holiday. For the changes in the date of the new year see *calendar.
|
|
|
|