Lidl attempt to reignite Hogmanay first-footing tradition with free coal

Lidl will hand out free coal to customers in a bid to restore the age-old tradition of ‘first-footing’.

The supermarket giant is encouraging Scots to reignite the heritage of Hogmanay by gifting their neighbours a lump of coal – a symbol of warmth and wellbeing for the year ahead.

With one quarter of Scots revealing they have never been first-footing, Lidl is encouraging the nation to take part in the celebration this Hogmanay.

As well as bringing back first-footing, the retailer has teamed up with Scotland’s National Chef, Gary McLean, to encourage Scots to try traditional Scottish black bun as stats show over half the population have never tried it.

Scotland holds a worldwide reputation for celebrating Hogmanay and the New Year ahead, bursting with fun and unusual traditions.

The tradition of first-footing goes back some 400 years to Viking times, and historically has a few key ingredients to bring fortune and luck for the year ahead.

The first person to enter a house in the New Year, is the first foot, and could bring luck for the whole year to come. The luckiest of all is traditionally a tall, dark, and handsome man.

After the stroke of midnight, neighbours visit each other, bearing traditional symbolic gifts such as coal, shortbread and whisky. The visitor, in turn, is offered a dram to toast in the New Year.

According to tradition, to first foot a household empty-handed would be very unlucky.

Ross Millar, regional director of Lidl Scotland, said: “First-footing is a fantastic Scottish custom, it’s all about celebrating Hogmanay with your family, friends and neighbours and sharing traditional gifts to help kick start the new year.

“At Lidl, we’re big on Scottish heritage and all that our wee country has to offer including our age-old Hogmanay celebrations so we hope to play a part in upholding these important traditions.”