First Footing

Its the last day of the year or Hogmanay as its known here in Scotland. The parties begin in the evening and last well into New Year's Day.

For me and Mrs B it will be a party at the local farm where we will also see in the New Year. Sadly there will be no first footing our good friend who passed away recently, as we have done for the last 7 years. Keith held a New Year party in his house for the last 56 years and many in Carradale will be thinking of him at the bells, with fond memories of a kind and considerate man.

First Footing is a tradition that goes back a long time in Scotland. It involves visiting friend's houses and taking with you an appropriate gift to bring good luck for the new year. These are the gifts I usually take with me. A piece of coal (or a smokeless brickette in this case!) to bring warmth to the house, a piece of black bun or cake to ensure there is food and, of course, a bottle of whisky.

When handing over the piece of coal tradition decrees that the greeting to the householder is "lang may you lum reek", which translates as long may there be smoke coming out your chimney!

The other article in the blip is a Black Watch tartan bottle bag, which is used to carry your bottle as you go from house to house dispensing drams to friends you meet. I think this may be a Carradale tradition as I haven't come across it elsewhere.

As for the bottle of whisky - well its very special as Keith presented it to us last Hogmanay when he came to visit our new house. It was specially bottled for the occasion and will remain unopened in memory of a wonderful man.

Hope you all have a great New Year and lang may your lums reek!