WILLIAMSTOWN, Ontario – The Nor’Westers and Loyalist Museum in Williamstown, in partnership with the Williamstown Fire Department hosted a traditional Scottish celebration of the New Year.
Taking place on New Year’s Eve, the museum held a Hogmanay. A Hogmanay is a Scottish tradition to ring in the New Year.
“The most important night in Scotland is Hogmanay night before the New Year,” said Joyce Lewis, President of the Nor’Westers and Loyalist Museum. “Because of the strong Scottish heritage in South Glengarry we wanted to do something to celebrate taht culture.”
There were fireworks, food, a bonfire and a horse drawn carriage ride through town.
Lewis explained that after the end of the old year and the beginning of the new, there is the Scottish tradition of First Footing.
To literally get the year off on the right foot it is a tradition in Scotland for homes to be visited by a friend after midnight. The friend should usually be a tall, handsome man who must offer something to keep you warm, something to eat and something to drink.
The Hogmanay has been a tradition for the past few years in Williamstown. In Edinburgh, Scotland, their Hogmanay saw a large parade through the streets on New Year’s Eve.
