The Eve of New Year, or Hagmanay is celebrated with greater enthusiasm than Christmas in Scotland, mainly due to the diminution of Christian festivals under Presbyterianism and Calvinism.
Toasting the New Year with Het Pint, a bowl of ale spiked with whiskey, the eathing of Black Bun or the Hogmanay Bannock and the first footings of a dark haired individual carrying fuel and uttering a blessing, were traditionally preceded by the 'redding up' or tidying of the house and its ritual cleansing by brands of smoking juniper.
The following blessing was said on Hagmanay in the Western Highlands of Scotland:
The blessing of G~d upon this house
The blessing of Jesus upon this house
The blessing of Spirit upon this house
The blessing of Brighid upon this house
The blessing of Michael upon this house
The blessing of Mary upon this house
The blessing of Columba upon this house
On man and woman, on spouse and child,
on old and young, on maiden and youth.
With plenty of food and plenty of drink,
with plenty of beds and plenty of ale,
with many riches and much cheer,
with many kin and length of life,
Ever upon it.