Not sure about now - the thing's like gone commercial with the rest of the World Ecumen. But I hope not.

Used ter was (at least until the mid 70's I know of) that Hogmanay included the grandest of Scottish customs - getting drunk and visiting your friends. Along with several books worth of subsidiary customs.

"First footing" (your first visit to a friend's in the new year) was common and being the real First Foot, ie, the first person of all to visit, was still extra special. All FFs would, of course be offered a scotch but the actual FF might have two forced on him.

Or on her, these days, but the wifey should really be at home to welcome the FFs coming there. Thus the real problem - you had to be out driving to your friends' to be their FF all the while being at home to welcome them to FF you.   Imagine the Three Stooges in bumper cars....

You could theoretically FF even in May although the novelty wore pretty thin by then. Still, who could object to just a wee tot in celebration?

Several people brought us a lump of coal. A fine gesture (obviously a bit of sympathetic magic to ensure warmth & therefore prosperity in the next year) although that custom was already dying out. I don't recall any other offerings but as Malcolm implies (in the other thread) the important part was the mid-winter, "renewal" festival to ensure the return of the sun and fertility. Much against Scotland's extreme reluctance to practice the newfangled upstart festival of Christmas, by the mid 60's Christmas had largely replaced Hogmanay in its pagan practices aspects (lights & gifts, etc.)

I regularly sing THE DAY WE WENT TO ROTHESAY, O at this season. Note the song dates itself as "One Hogmanay" not as 'one New Year' or 'one December' or such. So the term was common enough then. I think this might also be to indicate drink was expected to be taken.

I don't know what time the revellers would have arrived at Rothsay but the notion is correct that by mid-afternoon they'd have done everything in town there was to do except get drunk and/or fight.

But as for today, Happy Ancester's Day! (you know - in Haiti.)