Hogmanay
Hogmanay (pronounced /?h?gm?n'e?/ — with the main stress on the last syllable) is the Scots word for the celebration of the New Year in the Scottish manner. Its official date is the 31 December. However this is normally only the start of a celebration which lasts through the night until the morning of the 1 January or, in many cases, 2 January.
There are many customs, both national and local, associated with Hogmanay. The most widespread national custom is the practice of first-footing which starts immediately after midnight. This involves being the first person to cross the threshold of a friend or neighbor and often involves the giving of symbolic gifts such as coal, shortbread or silverware intended to bring different kinds of luck to the householder. This may go on throughout the early hours of the morning and well into the next day. The first-foot is supposed to set the luck for the rest of the year, so it is important that a suitable person does the job. A tall, dark man bearing a gift is preferred.
An example of a local Hogmanay custom is the fireball swinging which takes place in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire in north-east Scotland. This involves local people making up balls of chicken wire, tar, paper and other flammable material to a diameter of about a metre. Each ball has 2 m of wire, chain or non-flammable rope attached. The balls are then each assigned to a swinger who swings the ball round and round their head and body by the rope while walking through the streets of Stonehaven from the harbor to the Sheriff court and back. At the end of the ceremony any fireballs which are still burning are cast into the harbor. Many people enjoy this display which is more impressive in the dark than it would be during the day. As a result large crowds flock to the town to see it.
The Hogmanay custom of singing Auld Lang Syne, an old Scottish song made popular by Robert Burns, has become common in many countries.
Until the 1960s, Hogmanay and Ne'erday (a contraction of "New Year's Day" in Scots dialect, according to the OED) in Scotland took the place of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in the rest of the UK. Although Christmas Day held its normal religious nature, the Presbyterian national church, the Church of Scotland, had discouraged its celebration for over 300 years. As a result Christmas Day was a normal working day in Scotland until the 1960s and even into the 1970s in some areas. The gift-giving, public holidays and feasting associated with mid-winter were held between the 31 December and 2 January rather than between the 24th and 26 December.
With the fading of the Church's influence and the introduction of English cultural values via television and immigration, the transition to Christmas feasting was well-nigh complete by the 1980s. However, 1 January and 2 January remain public holidays in Scotland, despite the addition of Christmas Day and Boxing Day to the public holiday list, and Hogmanay still is associated with as much celebration as Christmas in Scotland. Most Scots still celebrate Ne'erday with a special dinner, usually steak pie.
When Ne'erday falls on a Sunday, 3 January becomes an additional public holiday in Scotland; when Ne'erday falls on a Saturday, both 3 January and 4 January will be public holidays in Scotland.
As in the rest of the world, the four largest Scottish cities, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee, hold all-night celebrations, as does Stirling. The Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations are among the largest in the world, though in 2003-4 most of the organised events were cancelled at short notice due to very high winds.
AULD LANG SYNE
Words adapated from a traditional song
by Rabbie Burns (1759-96)
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot,
And auld lang syne?
CHORUS:
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld lang syne,
We'll tak a cup of kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!
And surely ye'll be your pint-stowp,
And surely I'll be mine,
And we'll tak a cup o kindness yet,
For auld lang syne!
We twa hae run about the braes,
And pou'd the gowans fine,
But we've wander'd monie a weary fit,
Sin auld lang syne.
We twa hae paidl'd in the burn
Frae morning sun till dine,
But seas between us braid hae roar'd
Sin auld lang syne.
And there's a hand my trusty fiere,
And gie's a hand o thine,
And we'll tak a right guid-willie waught,
For auld lang syne
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Haggis
The Natural History of the Haggis.
The Haggis was once widespread throughout the British Isles until displaced by the rabbit introduced by the Romans. It is rumoured that Julius Caesar, the well known partygoer, had intended to set up a "Bunny Club" but Signora Caesar had other ideas.
Rabbits, in their natural Spanish habitat, lived amongst loose rocks but because of the strong Peseta were able to push the price of burrows way beyond the means of the local Haggisses who were thus rendered homeless and migrated back to far Caledonia.
(Not a lot of people know that!)
(Even fewer Care. Ed.)
It is rumoured to this day that the Little folk of Eirrann still keep the Haggis as a domestic pet. Although some authorities have it that Haggis milk (or something like that....... there was a ceilidh band banging away when O'Shaunessy told me the other night in Flannigan's Bar) is the special ingredient that puts the E into whiskey.
The wild Haggis is now a very timid beast and is seldom seen if it sees you first.
It will however respond to the mating call of another Haggis. Herein lies the secret of good Haggis hunting.
Traditional Haggis
1 sheep's pluck (stomach bag)
2 lb.. dry oatmeal
1 lb. suet
1 lb. lamb's liver
2 1/2 cups stock
1 large chopped onion
1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper, Jamaica pepper and salt
Boil liver and parboil the onion, then mince them together. Lightly brown the oatmeal. Mix all ingredients together. Fill the sheep's pluck with the mixture pressing it down to remove all the air, and sew up securely. Prick the haggis in several places so that it does not burst. Place haggis in boiling water and boil slowly for 4-5 hours. Serves approximately 12.
Recipe from The Scots Book of Lore & Folklore
For this, the greatest of Scots savouries, is required: a sheep's bag, and the small bag, the pluck complete (lights, liver, and heart), beef suet, onions, and oatmeal, with seasoning of salt and black pepper. Thoroughly clean the bag, and soak in cold salted water for at least twelve hours. Turn the rough side out. Wash the pluck and the small bag, cover them with cold water, an set to boil with the windpipe hanging over the side of the pot to let out impurities. Boil for an hour and a half, or two hours. Then take out, and cut away all gristle and pipes. Half the liver only will be required, grate this, and mince the heart and lights. Make a mixture of this and half a pound of minced suet, a couple of finely chopped onions, and a large cupful of previously toasted oatmeal, all well moistened with some of the liquid in which the pluck was boiled. Put the mixture into the large bag, leaving plenty of room to swell. Sew the bag securely, and put it to boil in a large pot of hot water. Prick the bag all over with a darning needle as soon as it begins to swell, to prevent the possibility of its bursting. Boil steadily for three hours with the lid off the pot. Serve immediately.
A form of Haggis may be made without the sheep's bag, by putting the mixture into a buttered basin, and steaming it for about four hours.
The Dreaded Haggis (from Delia Smith's Complete Cookery Course)
1 sheep's stomach
1 sheep heart
1 sheep liver
1/2 lb suet, fresh (kidney leaf fat is preferred)
3/4 c oatmeal
1 ts salt
1/2 ts pepper
1/4 ts cayenne
1/2 ts nutmeg
3/4 c stock
Wash stomach well, rub with salt and rinse. Remove membranes and excess fat. Soak in cold salted water for several hours. Turn stomach inside out for stuffing.
Cover heart and liver with cold water, Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Chop heart and coarsely grate liver. Toast oatmeal in a skillet on top of the stove, stirring frequently, until golden. Combine all ingredients and mix well. Loosely pack mixture into stomach, about two-thirds full. Remember, oatmeal expands in cooking.
Press any air out of stomach and truss securely. Put into boiling water to cover. Simmer for 3 hours, uncovered, adding more water as needed to maintain water level. Prick stomach several times with a sharp needle when it begins to swell; this keeps the bag from bursting. Place on a hot platter, removing trussing strings. Serve with a spoon.
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
29th Georgia/7th Maine
Lambh Deargh Erin Abu!
Most importantly we are free. Free in thought, body, and soul.
It is no longer the blood, but the spirit that makes us what we are.
We are Celts!
Kids come arunnin'..
... for the great taste of Sheep behoogies!
"Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder
United States Army
Corps of Topographic Engineers
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Haggis, armour
Haggis, armour haggis,
everybody loves a Armour haggis,
Fat Scots, Lean Scots
Scots that play with Rocks,
Violent scots, Drunk Scots
Even Scots with the whorehouse Pox..........
Seamus
(what are all those little red dots on me...?)
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
One More Time!
That was inspired Seamus!
"Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder
United States Army
Corps of Topographic Engineers
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Doc's mock haggis
As some of you know (and tried) I brought some of my mock haggis to Bowdoin. All who tried it claimed they liked it and requests for the recipe were overwhelming...well, ok 1 person (you know who you are) requested it, I'm just easily overwhelmed.
The mock haggis tastes very close to the real thing but is much simpler & cheaper. Plus the amount of "guts" is minimized making it more palatable to even the sqeamish sassanach set.
So, in spite of popular demand, here you go.
Doc's Mock Haggis
1/4 lb beef steak
1/4 lb calves liver
2 medium onions
3/4 cup outmeal
3 tbs beef suet (the stuff you put out for the birds)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
Boil liver, steak & onions 'till all is cooked
Grind up oatmeal in food processor
Melt suet in COVERED saucepan
Grind up cooked liver, steak and onions in food processor and put in another covered saucepan.
Add 1 cup of the water the liver, steak & onions cooked in.
Add melted suet and spices.
Gradually mix in oatmeal.
You want the consistancy to be quite thin but not runny. The oats will soak up some of the "juice" as it cooks more.
(You may have to experiment wth the oats & beef stock to get the consistancy right.)
Cover and heat over low/medium heat for 30 -45 minutes. Stirring occasionally.
Eat.
Keep taking your haggis!!
Asst. Surg. SD Scroggins
But what about the....
...moose nuggets???
"Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder
United States Army
Corps of Topographic Engineers
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Grind them in Major!
I don't think they will be noticed! :)
--
Michael Johnson
hogmanay
So that is where Campbells got the recipe for Scotch Broth soup YUMMMMMMMM Hawks and Eagles Fly Like Doves CopperHeadAnnie
IT truly was good, the Docs
IT truly was good, the Docs Mock Haggis, having sampled it at bowdoin, but Its one of those things that I would be the only one in the house to eat it, So Id have haggis commin out o me ears.
Ya know Iv got to thinking, Probally moose nuggets wouldnt be so bad if you boiled em real well before slicing and frying...Ive had parie oysters before and though I wouldnt crawl through broken glass to get some, If offered Id eat....I had an Uncle (actualy he was a great uncle) who ate all sorts of things like that....often people would sample stuff he would make and comment how good it was and then after you tell them what it is they go green, and it aint St. Paddys day...Never understood that...its like people I knew down south that wouldnt go to chinese resturants....because they cook stray cats and dogs...which I would say...if its dog , its good.
but im getting more adventurous in my old age......
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
"An example of a local
"An example of a local Hogmanay custom is the fireball swinging which takes place in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire in north-east Scotland. This involves local people making up balls of chicken wire, tar, paper and other flammable material to a diameter of about a metre. Each ball has 2 m of wire, chain or non-flammable rope attached. The balls are then each assigned to a swinger who swings the ball round and round their head and body by the rope while walking through the streets of Stonehaven from the harbor to the Sheriff court and back. At the end of the ceremony any fireballs which are still burning are cast into the harbor. Many people enjoy this display which is more impressive in the dark than it would be during the day."
Now that must be a frightening sight, a bunch of drunk Scotsmen indicriminately flinging incendiary devices about town. How many times has Stonehaven been burnt to ashes? I agree that a burning house is much more impressive at night.
Bob Firth
Late of the 25th Mass
You do realize...
... that the Scots have been designated the world's most Violent people.... Makes ya feel proud!
"Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder
United States Army
Corps of Topographic Engineers
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Must have lungs
Aye. Real haggis must also have chopped up "lights" (lungs) of the sheep too. Can't waste good offal.
Scots are only violent when other people disagree with them, ken that ye wee man!
Bob Firth
Late of the 25th Mass
Aye....
... there's nuthin like a good tussel laddie..
If ye ain't peein' blood afta a night on tha town...ya dinna have no fun at'all!
"Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder
United States Army
Corps of Topographic Engineers
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
Violent Caledonians
Makes one want to put lime in one's hair and paint themselves blue
Although i believe that when it was mentioned that they fought naked, it was meant that they had no armor, not their birthday suits.
"Never Apologize, It's a sign of weakness!
Cpt. Nathan Brittles
Pvt. Steve Henry
Co. A, 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry
"Bath City Greys
Bless You
Ahhhh Bless ya Laddie,
Was a bonnie grand plate of victuals, Now to allow the Woman o' th house to allow liver in the cottage! Now I have a wee bit more to layer on me pilot bread! Bless ya Doc!
"Never Apologize, It's a sign of weakness!
Cpt. Nathan Brittles
Pvt. Steve Henry
Co. A, 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry
"Bath City Greys
I'm a...
...Woad warrior from WAY back!
"Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder
United States Army
Corps of Topographic Engineers
2nd Lt Eric R. Reeder United States Army Corps of Topographic Engineers "Hawks and Eagles fly like Doves"
no lungs here
Unfortunately the US government made it illegal to sell lungs for human consumption a few years back. Thank God they're here to protect us from ourselves. Where would we be if were allowed to make our own decisions about such important matters as what to eat?
And as I always say, "if you've eaten a hot dog you've had worse than what's in haggis. The Scot's are just more honest & up front about things."
Keep taking your Haggis, but stay away from those bad lungs!!
Asst. Surg. SD Scroggins
Pvt Henry
Could it be possible that the belief of Celts & Picts fighting in nothing but lime & woad might be traced back to the Vikings? I've read tales of Viking Beserkers working themselves into a rage & stripping off armor & clothing to fight naked. I believe it was thought to intimidate their opponent when they saw quite clearly that the 'beserk' wasn't at all frightened by the fight. In fact Seamus' mortal enemy Mel Gibson featured that particular move in "Bravehart". (Not the totally naked, just the lifted kilts.Darn it) I'm sure the roman soldiers were set back by the fighting ways of the Celts & embelished the tales of battle when they returned to their homes. It's an interesting intimidation manuever though. Rather like Stonewall telling the Confederates to "Yell like furies" at the battle of Mannassas.
~Miss Patti
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Seuss
naked in Maine in winter you
naked in Maine in winter you dont have to paint yerself blue! about Stonehaven, maybe its ok in that town as the name might imply the local building material....Granite canna burn!
Lights....I wonder if Brains and eggs are now illigal in the south? I remember several resturants that served that brekfast delight and Ive seen it canned in stores. I wonder what the merry argument it was that caused the sudden outlawing of lungs for consumtion? so whats next? will the immortal chitlin be up next for outlawing? is the salley S.C. chitlin strut festival doomed? what will be next after that? haggis? the possibilities are frightining......
Seamus
"it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifing......nothing"
MacBeth
P.O.d Scot's
There was quite an uproar in the Scottish-American community at the time. It meant Haggis could no longer be imported from the moherland. Plus the statement that it had been "deemed unfit for human consumption" ruffled a few feathers as well. I don't remember the whole affair, just the overwhelmng urge to rip off my clothes, paint myself blue and attack washington like some pudgy, middle aged, pissed off smurf with a growth hormone disorder...
Keep taking your blue mass!!
Asst. Surg. SD Scroggins
I suddenly have a mental
I suddenly have a mental picture of Doc in blue woad with lime in his beard screaming "Give me haggis or give me death".
I doubt W would be amused.
~Miss Patti
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~Dr. Seuss
You know Patti when ever I
You know Patti when ever I am down in the dumps all I have to do is get on here and read your post and they put almost everthing back inline for me. Hawks and Eagles Fly Like Doves. CopperHeadAnnie
Happy New Year 2006!
Greetings,
Happy New Year 2006!
May it bring you what you seek
May you have compassion for yourself and others
May you have the strength to face your fears
May you have the courage to give and receive love
May you have the wisdom to know life is for living
May you have peace to know thy self,
And to know the beauty of this world
Enjoy the ride,
Craig
Pvt/Lt Craig Young
3rd Maine, Company A
29th Georgia/7th Maine
Lambh Deargh Erin Abu!
Most importantly we are free. Free in thought, body, and soul.
It is no longer the blood, but the spirit that makes us what we are.
We are Celts!