TRENDING • HOGMANAY
Should auld acquaintance be forgot
Well that’s Christmas over for yet another year but do not dismay, just around the corner is Hogmanay! This is what the good people of Scotland call New Year's Eve - December 31st - to mark the arrival of the new year. Its origins are thought to reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice among the Vikings with wild parties in late December. So bring in the bells with this selection of fine Scottish fare and ensure, come midnight, your first footer beats a path to your door.
Fun fact: Did you know that Christmas was not observed as a public holiday in Scotland until 1958? It is then no wonder that the Scots looked forward to the New Year as the main opportunity for merriment during the dark winter months. Two days of holiday are needed to recover still to this day.
Sláinte Mhath!
PUBLISHED | 27 DECEMBER 2024
WATER OF LIFE
The only drink with which to toast the bells at Hogmanay is of course Scotch whisky.
Offer a toast to the New Year with this 10 year old Talisker single malt scotch whisky. This glorious whisky hails from the shores of Loch Harport, the Isle of Skye's oldest licensed distillery, and one that is loved all over the world for the character of its maritime single malt.
Talisker has a famously rich and powerful peat-smoke flavour, with a flavoursome peppery finish. With its warm, subtle smokiness, enjoy yours neat or on the rocks.
LANG MAY YER LUM REEK
When the clock strikes midnight, give thanks to the past and herald the future with this Bunnahabhain single malt scotch whisky (try saying that when you're sober).
Bunnahabhain (Pronounced 'BUNN-NA-HA-VENN') is known for its spectacular surroundings and delicious signature unpeated Islay Single Malt Whisky, matured predominantly in ex-sherry casks.
This amber gold nectar is a typically creamy and coastal whisky with notes of caramel, nuts, dried fruit and hints of spice. If you don't want to give peat a chance, Stiùireadair leaves long and lingering hints of nuts and a gentle spice on the palate. Delicious.
If you're not too keen on the hard stuff, why not try this Cranachan Moonshine.
For those who have never tasted its delights, Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert made with whipped cream, whisky, oatmeal, honey, and raspberries. It has even been called ‘the uncontested king of Scottish desserts’.
The good folks at Angus Alchemy in Carnoustie have worked their magic to conjure up a delightful blend of fresh seasonal raspberries and their very own honey, bolstered by a touch of whisky and the essence of toasted oats and cream. This Moonshine can be served straight from the bottle or with a mixer of your choice.
If you find that first fiery sip of whisky too overwhelming and something you'd sooner strip paint with, try a smoother alternative like Glayva Whisky Liqueur. Glayva - the phonetic pronunciation of the Gaelic 'gle mhath' meaning 'very good' - is a smooth, easy to drink Scottish liqueur with warming hints of cinnamon, tangerines and honey. Something to keep you toasty on a cold winter's night.
This award winning tipple is actually best kept in the freezer but, for the love of god, please make sure you put the cap back on securely. I can still hear the banshee wail of an ex partner upon finding their precious Glayva in a puddle on the kitchen floor the morning after.
MAD MEN
You are of course going to need a suitable drinking vessel for your dram. Whether it be to raise a toast or avoid exhorbitant ceilidh bar prices, this handmade stag's head Whisky Glass and Hip Flask set covers all bases.
The high quality 6oz whisky glass tumbler features a solid pewter Stag’s Head emblem, perfect for a Don Draper-esque Old Fashioned.
The hip flask shares the same stunning stag motif and takes 6 oz of your favourite tipple on the move. It comes with a screw top with a hinged bracket – so you won’t drop the screw top in the cold. Nice.
SCOTLAND THE BRAVE
If you are a patriotic Scot equipped with a large sporran (pardon?) and would rather dispense with the glass nonsense then this Lion Rampant Hip Flask is for you.
This generous capacity 8oz flask is crafted with durable high-quality stainless steel, ensuring longevity and resistance to corrosion.
The flask is also available with an embossed Highland Stag design. Whichever you style you choose, you'll be sure to be seeing in the bells as a dapper dan man.
Go on, go on, go on
Okay okay, it's not Scottish but you can't beat a tumbler full of Baileys Irish Cream as a wee chaser at any time of year let alone for seeing in the bells.
With its velvety blend of fine Irish whiskey - note, Irish "whisky" is spelled with an 'e' - spirits, cream, rich chocolate and vanilla flavours, Baileys is one of life’s most pleasurable indulgences. No wonder Terry Wogan got hammered on the stuff to help him get through presenting Eurovision.
THE OTHER NATIONAL DRINK
For a non-alcoholic alternative to the festivities, you can't go wrong with a can or three of Irn Bru 1901.
This original (and best) Irn Bru was a soft drink developed by AG Barr in 1901 to help steel workers rebuild Glasgow Central Station and quench their thirst for beer on the job.
To be honest I'm not mad keen on the bog standard stuff but when I first tasted this vintage recipe I was immediately transported back to my childhood. Now, if I could only get my hands on some Barr's American Cream Soda...
THE GAME'S AFOOT
Don't let your first-foot through the door unless they come bearing gifts. "First-footing" is the Scottish tradition of being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbour after the bells on Hogmanay. But make sure they are a tall, dark-haired man before letting them in otherwise it will bring you ill fate!
Traditionally, the first-foot should bring with him symbolic gifts such as shortbread, coal, coins, whisky, or black bun (a type of fruit cake, not rabbits). Should shortbread not be your first-footer's gift of choice then don't go without. Delight your guests with this cutsie keepsake tin of Walkers Scottie Dogs Shortbread. This shortbread assortment has the perfect, melt-in-the-mouth buttery, crumbly, cookie texture. Smashing.
If you just can't get enough of the stuff, this 500g tin of MacDonald's Pure Butter Shortbread ensures there's enough to go round. Packaged in a high quality Stag design metal tin, this delicious selection of luxury pure butter shortbread is inspired by the MacDonalds Scottish heritage and baked using only the finest natural ingredients. Savour the rich buttery flavour and crumbly texture that defines this beloved treat.
Just don't offer any to the Campbells as they'll tan the lot.
THAT'S PLENTY
If for whatever reason you are unable to tune in to BBC One Scotland on iPlayer and your only Hogmanay viewing option is "Sophie Ellis Bextor's New Year's Eve Disco" (WTAF?), gather your clan round to watch one of Scotland's all time comedy classics Still Game instead.
This hilarious cult series is about the lives and adventures of two OAP's Jack and Victor and their heartwarming exploits with their Craiglang chronies. They may be long in the tooth but they're Still Game for all kinds of carry-on. Whether you like to indulge in some "stoorie Midori" or a "Beefy Bake" on the River Kelvin, you're in for an absolute treat.
IT'S ME, I'M CATHY
Another great comedy to come out of Scotland's hallowed shores in recent years is Two Doors Down. Set in suburban Glasgow, this lighthearted comedy is based around the lives of a normal couple just trying to find domestic bliss without the interference of their insufferable neighbours who think they can call in whenever they feel like it.
Laugh along with a wonderful cast of "nightmare neighbours" on this Series 1-4 DVD boxset. Should you be missing the annual tradition of "Only An Excuse" at Hogmanay, fear not, you can still get your Jonathan Watson fix right here.