First Footing

[-SharonA-]

Do they still follow this tradition in Scotland??

The reason I ask, is that Lidl is giving away free lumps of coal up north!!

Why coal though?? I would have thought a bottle of Whisky more apt!!!

Happy New Year to you all.

[mazie]

The coal is to ensure yer lum reeks in the new year Sharon

[mazie]

"the first foot should be a dark male, and he should bring with him symbolic pieces of coal, shortbread, salt, black bun and a wee dram of whisky"

[jourdain2]

My poor mum spent a freezing 20 mins. outside the house because (then boyfriend, later husband) were late. She would not go back in the house. (She was a Scot.) When we arrived she gave him a traditional bit of coal and nip of whisky to carry into the house. I still continue this tradition and shove Mr. J2 out just before midnight! The First-footer has to be male and dark-haired. It springs (so I was told) from the fear of blonde Viking raiders.

[ducksie]

We do the first male thing in Ireland, no redheads (no way) sign of trouble but we call it (apart from NYE) Oíche na Coda Móire, the night of the big portion, our houses are supposed to be spotless - no chance with parties going on - I've not done it in a long time, last time was in my old house, two neighbours called, one was dead by end of Jan the other by end of the year, so I don't carry out the tradition any longer, that's just me, it's still carried out in R Of I

[mazie]

That's right jourdain, the last thing they wanted was a big burly blonde turned up with a whopping great axe on new years eve :o) Happy New Year to You and Mr J x

[jourdain2]

Same to you mazie :) x

[mazie]

Hi ducksie.. I don't blame you for not carrying on with it. A very Happy New Year to you xx

[tonyav]

Oh yes those viking blokes could be a bit rough couldn't they.

[jourdain2]

Never tried them - oops!

[mazie]

Raping and pillaging all over the place! Mind you I quite fancy Thor :o)

[ducksie]

Thanks Mazie, many happy returns

[mazie]

Thank you ducksie. x

[ducksie]

Here's a memory from Mrs O on her thoughts and memoirs of first footing, I like it :)
https://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/ChatterBank/Question1391296.html

[tonyav]

Mind you I quite fancy Thor :o)

Was he the one with the errrrrrrm big hammer.

[jourdain2]

Thanks Ducksie - a lovely reminder of a lovely person. :)

[mazie]

Massive tone :0)

[tonyav]

snigger

Yes I remember that thread from mrs overload.
Thanks for posting it, ducksie.

[-SharonA-]

Quite a quaint tradition. Nearest I get to observing a NYE tradition is singing Auld Lang Syne to which I mumble through as I don't know all the words!!

[jourdain2]

Sharon! I'm horrified! Just don't sing 'for the sake of auld lang syne'.
'Syne' means 'sake' so the words are simply 'For auld lang syne'. You can do it properly tonight! :)

[-SharonA-]

Jourdain, I'm gonna Google the words!!!
There are 8 of us here and it will be a jolly rendition.