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Level 3 – Intermediate
Hogmanay
The Scottish New Year or Hogmanay is one of the country’s most important festivals. It takes place on the 31st December every year and throughout the country there are parties and celebrations.
The biggest celebrations are held in the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh where there are street parties all night long. In the more remote parts of the country Scottish dances or ceilidhs are traditional and people dance to Scottish pipe music. Everywhere it is customary to kiss other people at midnight and sing the traditional Auld Lang Syne.
The origins of Hogmanay go back into the distant pagan past and are linked to the ancient practice of worshipping the sun and fire in mid-winter. There are still some ancient events in parts of the country.
In the Borders, in southern Scotland, there are big bonfires in the villages. The Hogmanay bonfire dates back to pagan times. The fire was supposed to keep evil spirits away during the coming year. Dancing and music has only quite recently become part of the celebrations in these areas.
In the village of Comrie there is a torchlight procession which was also performed to keep evil spirits out of the village. A procession of torch bearers marches round the village on 31st December at midnight. The pipe band and villagers wearing fancy dress follow the torchlight procession. The torches are put in the bonfire in the village square and people dance around it.
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Answer the questions below to check how well you understand the text.
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C2 Mastery
