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rest of the year, depending on who arrives first and what kind
of gift he or she brings. According to the Scottish tradition,
a dark-haired young man or a fair-haired girl, appearing on the
doorstep just after midnight bearing a lump of coal or some black
bun (a rich fruit cake), brings the most luck to the household.
The largest New Year’s festivity in Scotland takes place in
Edinburgh. The range of events is mindboggling: there are
street parties, outdoor theatre, fireworks, festivals, parades, races
and sport games. A huge street party occurs at the Edinburgh
Castle and the surrounding streets where traditional bands
and bagpipes play on the run up to midnight. The cannons on
the Castle walls are fired off to mark the turning of the New
Year and this is followed by an impressive fireworks display
and more live music from contemporary bands. For those that
cannot attend the festivities or want to celebrate at home, they
are normally filmed and presented live on television. Perhaps
one of Edinburgh’s most unusual traditions is an annual event
where at midnight, for 26 years now, over a thousand daredevils
bathe in the cold waters of the Firth of Forth. If that reminds
you of our ‘walruses’ – winter swimming fans, then you are
partially right. At the Loony Dook, as it is affectionately known,
however, Scots dress up additionally as harlequins, devils or
in national colours.
In Stonehaven, nearby Aberdeen, an annual New Year’s
parade takes place, during which dozens of people march
through the city, swinging fireballs that represent the power
to drive off evil forces.
There is certainly no lack of excitement for the enthusiasts
of team games – in Kirkwall on Orkney, citizens divide
themselves into two teams: Uppies, born on the northern side
of the city, and Doonies from the southern districts. The aim
of the mass Handba’ game, played with a cork–filled leather
ball, is to carry the ball to one of the goals – each for the
respective team, placed on the opposite sides of the city. The
participants are known to be over-enthusiastic and the local
residents prepare for the game by boarding up windows and
doors to prevent damages.
It is no wonder, then, that every year over a hundred
thousand people travel to Scotland to celebrate the New
Year in the Hogmanay tradition that lasts for 4 whole days!
On this day everyone wants to be Scottish!
Bibliografia
• United Kingdom Society and Culture Complete Report (2010)
Petaluma, CA, USA: World Trade Press, 4.
• Hogmanay: It’s a tradition! BBC Scotland [online] [dostęp
5.10.2012] .
• Hogmanay (HOG-MUH-NAY) Scotland.org [online]
[dostęp 5.10.2012] .
Weronika Skaczkowska – anglistka;
współpraca: Margaret Moir
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