Firstfooting

Firstfooting, often written as first footing, is a traditional Scottish custom practiced during Hogmanay, the Scottish New Year. It centers on the first person to cross the threshold of a home after midnight on New Year’s Eve, or in the early hours of January 1, believed to bring good luck and prosperity to its inhabitants in the coming year. The practice is as much about hospitality and communal cheer as it is about superstition.

Traditionally, a first footer is imagined as a tall, dark-haired man, though modern practice does not rigidly require a particular appearance. The guest is welcomed with warmth, and it is common for the household to offer food and drink. The visitor may also bring symbolic gifts that are thought to ensure luck and protection for the home. Common items include coal (for warmth), bread (for sustenance), and salt (for hospitality), alongside pastries such as shortbread or other treats and a small amount of whisky for a toast.

Origins of first footing are not precisely documented, but the custom is linked to medieval and earlier Norse and Celtic winter traditions and came to be closely associated with Hogmanay in Scotland. The emphasis on a prosperous start to the year and the sharing of food and drink reflect broader themes of hospitality and communal well-being found in Scottish folklore.

Variations exist across regions and households, but the core idea remains a social rite that marks the transition into the new year, inviting luck, warmth, and goodwill into the home. The practice continues to be a distinctive element of Scottish New Year celebrations.