1) Cleaning: As the old saying goes, "out with the old and in with the new." Your house should be given a good scrubbing and the last of the old year swept away before midnight. Your brass and silver should shine brightly, your wood oiled, your finest linen on the table, fresh sheets on all the beds, stockings mended, buttons sewn on, clocks wound, bills paid, the hearth swept of last year's debris and the entire house censed top to bottom with a purifying herb such as juniper or rosemary.

2) Fire: Fire is an important part of the celebration, from huge public bonfires and torchlit processions through the streets to smooring and re-kindling the hearth at home and lighting candles for the new year. It is thought that the brighter the fire, the better the luck.

3) Public gatherings: There are huge publich gatherings on Hogmanay in Scotland, especially in Edinburgh. People gather round the bonfires, watch the processions, dance, drink, feast, exchange toasts, blessings and gifts and generally have a great time partying and calling in the new year.

4) The family hearth: Many families prefer to bring in the New Year at home, with music, dancing, games or conversation. The family sits round the hearth and as the evening advances, the fire is piled high for good luck.

4a) Letting the Old Year out and the New Year in: When the hour approaches, the head of the house rises, opens the main door wide and holds it thusly until the last stroke of midnight has died away. He then shuts it quietly and returns to the family circle. Now greetings and small gifts are exchanged, glasses are filled ~ and already the First-Footers are at the door.

4b) The First-Footer: On crossing the threshold, he greets the family with "A Gude New Year to ane and a'!" ("A good New Year to one and all!"), or simply, "A Happy New Year!" He then pours a glass from the flask he carries, which must be drunk to the dregs by the head of the house, who, in turn, pours out a glass for each of his visitors. The glass handed to the First-Footer himself must also be drunk to the dregs.

A popular toast is: "Your good health!" The First-Footer and company must take something to eat as well as to drink, and after an exchange of greetings the First Footer party goes off again on its rounds.

5) Guising: townsfolk dressed in cow hides and ran through the streets dodging neighbours who tried to whack them with sticks.