I've just had a look at the archives and realised I'm only receiving about half the replies to this topic and in the wrong order it seems. I found an interesting web page regarding Scottish New Year at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A10358165 It is lists more but the part I was interested says: Hogmany - word for the celebration to welcome the New Year. Traditionally it runs from noon on 31 December to noon on 1 January, but it is now generally taken to mean the whole new year festive period; the festivities often continue well into the new year and even into 2 January as well. It is a time of hope and looking forward to a better year. History and Origins. The celebration of Hogmanay can be traced back to the pagan practices of sun and fire worship in mid-winter. The Roman festival of Saturnalia involved great festivities with lots of wine and food, as well as more lascivious goings-on. The Vikings celebrated Yule, beginning on the shortest day of the year with sacrifices to the Norse gods and continuing for a number of days. The customs of Hogmanay probably combine elements of both of these with elements ofdruidic winter solstice practices. Following the Scottish Reformation in the 1560s, celebrating Christmas was frowned upon by the rather dour version of Calvinism introduced by John Knox and his successors, who believed it was too superstitious and too Roman Catholic. This was taken so seriously, and preached so vociferously in parish churches, that the celebration of Christmas was effectively banned, except in its pure religious sense. However, while the reformers could ban Christmas, they were unable to do the same for New Year. The celebrations were forced to go underground during the Interregnum under Oliver Cromwell, who banned Christmas in 1651, but it re-emerged in the late 17th Century. Right up until the 1950s, Hogmanay was the major festival of the winter season. Christmas Day was a normal working day in Scotland until the 1960s and even into the 1970s in some areas. Instead, people took holidays over the New Year period, 31 December to 2 January, with all the feasting and gift-giving which is now associated primarily with Christmas. By the 1980s/90s, Christmas had once again become a huge festival, due in large part to the waning influence of the church and the increasing effect of 'international' cultural traditions. However, despite Christmas Day and Boxing Day being made public holidays in the 1960s, as they had been for years in England, Hogmanay is still associated with as much celebration as Christmas in Scotland, if not more. Indeed, both 1 and 2 January are public holidays in Scotland whereas in England only 1 January is a holiday. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------- My father I guess was correct in atleast the part regarding the reformation. I found this site interesting, esp the part about Oliver Cromwell who banned Christmas in 1651!! Was this in Scotland or all of Britain? I can only asume it was everywhere. Regards Morag

I had an idea that even earlier, Hogmanay was pagan in origin. Janet ----- Original Message ----- From: <[email protected]> > > I've just had a look at the archives and realised I'm only receiving about > half the replies to this topic and in the wrong order it seems. > > I found an interesting web page regarding Scottish New Year at: > > http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A10358165 > > It is lists more but the part I was interested says: