As you’ve guessed, Hogmanay is the Scottish New Year. Nobody is quite sure where the name comes from. A few theories include the Gaelic Og maidne or new morning and the Norman French word hoguinane which was derived from the Old French anguillanneuf or “Gift at New Year.” Hogmanay’s roots reach back to the pagan practice of sun and fire worship in the winter. Celebrations starts Dec. 29 and lasts until Jan. 1
Scotiana’s team wishes Happy Hogmanay to all our Scottish friends
& Bonne Année à nos amis Francais, Québécois et Canadiens!
New Year’s Eve Firewoks at Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
Illuminations on Jacques Cartier bridge in Montréal, Québec, Canada |Photo: Moment Factory/375MTL
TD Hogmanay Scottish New Years’ Party in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
If you’re near and looking for a bustling atmosphere for your New Year’s Eve celebrations, head to Ottawa, Canada country’s capital. One of the most exciting celebrations is the TD Hogmanay Scottish New Years’ Party.
“Visitors here will have the chance to skate to Celtic music, ice sculpt, scotch taste, listen to live music and more. And when midnight strikes, prepare for an amazing display of fireworks off the roof of city.
Ottawa City Hall is the place where a large crowd gathers to welcome the new year. TD Hogmanay Scottish New Year’s Party is also organized at that city Hall in Ottawa.
Source: Escape Here
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and auld lang syne
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We’ll take a cup o kindness yet, for auld lang syne.”
Video: Auld Lang Syne ( featuring Martin Johnson )by Celtic Woman
Hello again!
Regarding Hogmanay, I have a different etymology, also from the French, namely
“au gué de l’an neuf”, literally “at the crossing of the new year”. “Un gué” in French means “a crossing, a ford”.
The expression was deformed into “au gui de l’an neuf”, “gui” meaning ‘mistletoe’, which explains the presence of mistletoe at this time of year and also ties in with the role of mistletoe in druid culture.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, mistletoe was a popular design in the continental Art Nouveau movement and it was very common to find glassware decorated with a handpainted motif of mistletoe and the words “Au gui de l’an neuf” produced as gifts at this time of year.
Happy Hogmanay to all!