December 31st - Great Britain - Hogmanay

This holiday has its origins in Scotland. A little known fact is that Christmas was not properly celebrated in Scotland until 1950 as it was seen as a Catholic festival. For this reason Hogmanay was celebrated with much more vigour and still is in many parts of Scotland.

First-footing is going round to friends' houses and welcoming in the new year. It is traditional to take a piece of coal with you to warm the fire place and share drams of whisky.

The Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh have become world-renowned and tickets are now required to enter.

On a quieter note, celebrations in Stromness a town in the Northern Scottish Island's of Orkney consist of celebrations in the town square where everyone congregates before midnight. At midnight all the boats in the harbour honk their horns and everyone shares drinks and hugs with the local pipe band playing. Afterwards, locals continue the tradition of first footing and have soup and (lots) more alcohol.