People all over... Britain celebrate ... passing of ... old year and ... coming of new. In Scotland, Hogmanay as it is

People all over Britain celebrate the passing of old year and the coming of new. In Scotland, Hogmanay as it is called there is almost as important as Christmas. The Scots take New Years Eve very seriously. There is a New Year Eve Fire Festival; men parade with blazing tar barrels, they throw them into a great bonfire. The First Boots then set out. In Scotland first footing is a common custom: its considered lucky if a dark-haired man is the first to set foot in the house after midnight on Hogmanay, bringing a coin, a piece of bread, or a lump of coal as a symbol of plenty for the coming year.