Hogmany/New Year is the occasion for great celebration in Scotland, much more so than Xmas
indeed, for 400 years – mid 16th century – mid 20th Century – christmas was hardly celebrated at all in Scotland with December 25 only becoming a public holiday in 1958 and Boxing Day . . .not recognised as a festive holiday until 1974 ( http://tinyurl.com/y8fhkxne )
while the rest of the world parties on New Years Eve to say goodbye to the old and welcome in the new, in Scotland, New Year celebrations start before Dec 31 and extend beyond Jan 01
so it was that yesterday saw thousands of ordinary revellers bearing flaming torches join pipers and other entertainers in a parade through the streets of Edinburgh . . .
