Hogmanay: Why we should raise a glass to the future with renewed hope – Steve Cardownie

No street party, no house parties, no first footing, Hogmanay is certainly going to be different this year.

A swarm of drones spells out 'Fare thee weel' as part of Edinburgh's online Hogmanay celebrations

The city is destined to be the quietest it has ever been, which might please some people but I suspect the majority of city residents will miss seeing in the new year with a good old knees up.

Brought up in Leith, I well remember my father traipsing up and down Cannon Street, bottle of Grouse in hand, visiting neighbours, first footing, where it seemed that every household had its doors open to welcome friends and strangers alike. An hour or two into our own party he would leave to “do his rounds” only to return as the winter sun was about to rise.

Through the years such Hogmanay rituals have fallen by the wayside as tenemental streets were pulled down, to be replaced by new developments filled with people who were strangers to each other as established communities were scattered throughout the city in the name of progress.

There is no doubt that that community spirit still thrives in some parts of the city but Leith in particular seemed to suffer as new developments replaced the likes of Portland Street, Hope Street, Jane Street and Tennant Street. Of course the new housing was welcome (inside lavvies? Luxury!) but something was lost in the process.

Back in the day “Auld Lang Syne" could be heard getting an airing from every house at midnight, when, even if people did not fully know the words or fully understand the sentiments, encouraged by a feeling of friendship and hope (to say nothing of a dram or two) people would grab each others’ hands and belt it out: “And there’s a hand my trusty fiere, And gies a hand o’thine, And we’ll take a right gude-willy waught, For auld lang syne.”

And no encouragement from Robert Burns was required as a right gude-willy waught was taken by all and sundry as the drinks flowed amid new friendships being forged and old ones confirmed.

New Year’s day would see new parties springing up or old ones rekindled as hardy souls were determined to continue the celebrations, some at least until it was time to leave to go to the game. They would return, either celebrating or bemoaning their luck depending on the result. Although it never got in the way of friendships, a draw ensured that the party could continue on an even keel with discussions being confined to “what could have been, if only”.

This year in particular has provided more time for reflection, to pause and consider what is most important to us. The disruption to our daily lives has been far reaching and, in some cases, tragic as family members and friends have suffered at the hands of this pandemic.

The consequences have been felt far and wide, not just in aspects of physical health but mental health, education, employment, insolvencies and relationships – all have been affected one way or another.

But hold on! There is evidence that community spirit is being revived as people look out for friends and neighbours, the vaccine programme is being rolled out and the future looks brighter.

So this Hogmanay, let’s remember times past and raise a glass to the future!

For auld lang syne!

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