What does the future hold for our New Year celebrations?
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Mervyn Hill, who organises Wick's Bignold Park bonfire each Hogmanay, looks at the long tradition of welcoming the New Year and reflects on how it has been affected by changing social habits
Is the celebration of the New Year in Scotland dying out? It's a question that is posed at this time of year. People say the New Year is not the same, it's not what it used to be. Stories of the old New Years become the subject of conversation as the year draws to an end.
Things changed in 1752 when this country adopted the Gregorian calendar in place of the Julian. Many years later people in Scotland, especially in rural parts, still celebrated the old New Year and to this day some areas still celebrate the old Hogmanay on January 12.
Over 100 years ago, around the late 1890s and early 1900s, there were lots of outward celebrations at New Year. People thronged to football matches, there was curling at Bilbster, golf at Reiss links, a lifeboat procession through Wick; church services and concerts were packed, and even farther back in time people played knotty or went coursing. Not forgetting the many bonfires in different parts of the town on Hogmanay night, the principal one being at Shilling Hill.
Restrictions in place during World War II meant no bonfire for seven years. "Wee Poltney", who had collected for the bonfire for many years past, grew up with a seven-year gap with no collecting and scavenging for the bonfire.
The growing popularity of television by the 1960s sounded the death knell of outward celebrations. The BBC put on special programmes at Hogmanay, meaning families stayed in to watch TV; only when the dot appeared in the middle of the screen did they go out first-footing.
In the north, as in other parts of Scotland, people now have holidays over the festive period. Christmas is observed much more widely than in the past. Should the festive celebrations be confined to Christmas, and the New Year tradition be allowed to fade into oblivion? That is now the question being asked.
Obviously this is a matter for the people themselves. Hogmanay and New Year have been observed in Scotland from time immemorial. The custom will not easily die out. It will not fade because individuals or groups may wish it. It will carry on as long as the Scots hold on to their traditions.
As each New Year passes, the general comment is "the quietest yet". But the manner in which an event is observed has nothing to do with the event itself. In most parts of the country today there is little outward rejoicing, although in a few places long-established features such as Wick's Hogmanay bonfire have been maintained.
We are living in entirely different times than those of our grandparents and great-grandparents. In comparison to life today, their leisure was limited. Christmas was worked, with New Year being the holiday. Therefore they made the most of the New Year celebrations. Yet despite the advantages of modern times, we look forward to the New Year break with no little anticipation.
We celebrate it in different styles now. First-footing continues, but on a far smaller scale than in days of yore. The family hardly stirs from the home, with more organised family-and-friends parties. Perhaps more outdoor and indoor entertainment for the general public would be welcome.
The New Year celebrations are still dear to the hearts of the Scottish people. The traditional Hogmanay bonfire will still be held in Wick. Families, relatives and friends will be home in Wick for a few days at the festive period. The event is not dying; it is our way of celebrating that has changed.
See you all at the bonfire.
Weather permitting, Wickers of all ages will continue the tradition of attending the Bignold Park bonfire this Hogmanay, enjoying the friendly atmosphere as they gather around the roaring flames – perhaps with a warming drink close to hand to keep out the cold.
Mervyn, who runs Wick’s Nethercliffe Hotel along with his wife Helen, has followed in the footsteps of his late father-in-law Iain Sutherland to keep the old custom burning bright.
A crowd of up to 400 welcomed in 2023 as the bonfire returned to its usual format after being affected by Covid restrictions over the previous two years. It was described as a "joyful" occasion and an example of "the community coming together".
Mervyn points out: "Bonfires and fire festivals go back to pagan times, to encourage light in the darkest of winter days."
