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Five Interesting Facts about Hogmanay
This article looks at the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay – its origins, how it differs from most countries’ New Year celebrations, and the form it takes today.
There’s also a brief summary of Hamiltons’ Removals services when it comes to moving to Scotland.
This article is a four-minute read.
Anyone interested in moving to Scotland should know about Hogmanay – it’s very different from New Year celebrations in the rest of the UK and across the world. Here we explain why.
Removals to Scotland with Hamiltons Removals
Whether you want to move to Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, or the Highlands and Islands, Norfolk removal company Hamiltons Removals can help. Call us on 01379 855203 to learn more.
1. The Celebration Can Last for Three Days (or Even Longer)
In most countries (including England), New Year celebrations start on December 31 and finish on New Year’s Day, which is usually a public holiday.However, although Hogmanay is the Scottish word for the last day of the old year, the celebrations run right through to January 2, which is also a public holiday.
So the word Hogmanay is now used more loosely to describe the entire period consisting of the last few days of the old year and the first few days of the new year.
2. Its Roots Go Back Many Years
There are a number of theories as to why Hogmanay first came into being. It has strong pagan links that come from ancient festivals marking the winter solstice and the new year, involving bonfires and rituals to ward off evil spirits.
Others believe the roots of Hogmanay reach back to the celebration of the winter solstice of the Norse people, who regularly raided the country; the New Year was one of their regular feast days.
There is a connection with Mary Queen of Scots as well. When she returned to Scotland from France in 1561, she brought French customs and words with her – notably the giving of New Year gifts.
Whatever its precise origins, Hogmanay’s importance was initially heightened by the fact that Christmas Day celebrations were officially banned in Scotland for many years, thanks to a 1640 edict from the Reformed Presbyterian Church of Scotland. The Church viewed Christmas as an overly Catholic (and extravagant) public holiday. It wasn’t until 1958 that 25 December became a national public holiday in Scotland.
3. It Gave the World Auld Lang Syne
The Hogmanay custom of singing Auld Lang Syne has become common in many countries. The song is based on an 18th century Scots poem by Robert (Rabbie) Burns, which is in turn based on other traditional sources.
It is common to sing this in a circle of linked arms crossed over one another as the clock strikes midnight for New Year’s Day. However, it is only intended that participants link arms at the beginning of the final verse before rushing into the centre as a group.
4. There are Plenty of National Customs…
There are several countrywide customs associated with Hogmanay. These include first-footing, which says that the first person to cross a home’s threshold in the New Year will be a bringer of good fortune.
The ‘first-footer’ should give a gift – often of coal, or shortbread, or whisky, or a black bun (a form of fruit cake). This should bring good luck (in the form of warmth, food, or good cheer) to the householder.
Many people clean their house before midnight on New Year’s Eve to rid it of all the bad luck of the old year in a process known as ‘redding’. Scotland also has its fair share of firework displays on December 31, notably by Edinburgh Castle (pictured).
5… and Local Ones Too
There are plenty of local traditions, some of which still survive to this day. For instance, The Stonehaven Fireballs Festival has its roots in pagan times. Residents of this Aberdeenshire town have paraded along the streets on Hogmanay, swinging giant fireballs to drive evil spirits away and purge the old year.
In Orkney, the Kirkwall Ba’ – a mass football match across the town – still takes place on New Year’s Day.
Removals to Scotland with Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can help with commercial and domestic moves to all parts of the UK. You can kick-start the whole process by opting for a video survey. You can receive an online quote by using another of our online tools here.
We offer plenty of choice in terms of services – you could opt for the simple transportation of your possessions, but we could pack and unpack everything for you (we would recommend this, particularly if you have anything valuable). Hamiltons also offer cleaning services for your new home, and insurance during the period of the move.
FAQS:
Q: Why would we recommend using our packing services?
A: Our team of specialist packers are highly experienced when it comes to taking care of valuable items – which includes art and antiques – as well as larger items such as machinery, equipment and vehicles if it’s a commercial move. We take great care to label everything and to avoid any breakages.
Q: Can Hamiltons supply its own packing materials?
A: Yes, we have a number of cartons and product-specific packaging materials available online and at our shop in Harleston. These are all high-quality (for instance, cartons are double-walled) to afford your possessions maximum protection.
You can check this out on YouTube here, along with our video for The Perfectly Orchestrated Move.
Q: How would we get your possessions to Scotland?
A: Hamiltons have a large selection of vehicles ranging from large articulated vehicles to medium-sized vehicles and small vans. We will always pick the most suitable vehicle for the journey (and your budget). For overseas moves, we usually ship items to their destination – either as part of a dedicated service or a groupage one (where your items are shared with other consignments).
Removals to Brussels with Hamiltons Removals
This article looks at the Belgian capital Brussels – its history, how to get there and get around once you have arrived, and its most famous tourist attractions.
There’s also a rundown of Hamiltons Removals services to Belgium, if you are moving either to city or elsewhere in the country.
This article is a three- to four-minute read.
It may be famous for its food and drink – particularly its chocolate and beer – but there’s a lot more to the Belgian capital than its culinary scene. Hamiltons Removals, who offer removals to Brussels, have been putting the city in the spotlight.
Removals to Belgium with Hamiltons Removals
At Hamiltons Removals, we can help with moves to all parts of Belgium, including Antwerp, Ghent, Liege and Brugge as well as Brussels. We can also help with commercial moves to the country, if you want to relocate your business (and some of your employees) there.
The History and Heritage
Although there were settlements in the area dating back to the Stone Age, Brussels as we know it originated as a sixth-century settlement on an island in the Senne River. It was officially founded around 979 when Charles, Duke of Lower Lorraine, built a fortress there.
It grew rapidly in the Middle Ages as a major commercial centre on the Bruges-Cologne trade route, known for its textile and lace industries. In 1830, Brussels became the capital of an independent Belgium following the Belgian Revolution.
The city underwent significant modernisation in the 19th and 20th centuries and, after the Second World War, was transformed into a major international hub, hosting the headquarters of both the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU). This earned it the nickname “the capital of Europe”. Unsurprisingly, Government services, along with finance, insurance and biotech, are the city’s major employers.
Getting There and Getting Around
Brussels Airport (BRU) is just under eight miles to the northeast of the city centre. There are trains (journey time around 20 minutes) between the two, but the public bus is the more budget-friendly option.
However, if you are considering removals from the UK to Brussels, then travelling via Eurostar may be more convenient. Trains start at London St Pancras International, through the Channel Tunnel, and stop in Lille, France, before arriving at Brussels’-Midi station. While French and Dutch (Flemish) are the official languages, most Belgians have a good understanding of English and other European tongues too.
Once you have arrived, the metro (look for the ‘M’ signs) is a quick and convenient way to get around. There are seven lines in total, and the network is much cleaner than those found in many other cities across the world.
Most sights in Brussels are reasonably close together, within reasonable walking distance of each other. However, bear in mind that the oldest part of town is cobblestoned. There is also a bike sharing network (look for the Villo! signs) that has more than 2,500 bicycles available at 200 stations throughout the city.
The Main Attractions
The Grand-Place is the main square. It’s picturesque as well as functional, as it is home to Brussels Town Hall. Many fairs, concerts and shows are held here. Two widely differing sculptures can also be found in the city – the Mannekin-Pis, a 17-th century bronze statuette of a boy relieving himself, and the Atomium (a 1950s representation of an iron unit cell, pictured above).
There are plenty of museums to choose from, with The Royal Museums of Fine Arts of Belgium incorporating a number of separate establishments – the Oldmasters, Modern, Meunier, Wiertz and Magritte Museums. However, if you want some family-friendly entertainment, try the LEGO Discovery Centre, ideal for children between two and 12 (and their parents too).
Shopping Around and Eating Out
The pedestrianised Rue Neuve/Nieuwstraat is one of busiest shopping streets in Belgium and has most of the designer stores and brand names. For something more independent, try the vintage markets like the Sunday Brussels Vintage Market for unique finds, and the Place du Jeu de Balle flea market for antiques and second-hand items.
Brussels is well known for its local waffles and French fries as well as its chocolate and beers. The Brussels waffle is light and rectangular with square pockets, ideal for infilling with powdered sugar, whipped cream or caramel.
French fries are commonly enjoyed with mussels (Moule-frites) or as a street food, served with a variety of sauces. For something more substantial, try the Carbonnade Flamande (a rich beef and beer stew),
How Hamiltons Removals Can Help
Whether you need commercial or domestic removals to Brussels, Hamiltons Removals can help. You can start the process by either clicking here and filling in the online video survey form on the right-hand side of the page (‘Detailed Quote’), or by calling us on 01379 855203.
FAQs:
Q: How many British people live in Belgium?
A: It’s been estimated that around 30,000 British-born people live in Belgium, although this figure is believed to have fallen in recent years due to Brexit. Exact figures for Brussels are not available; however, more than a third of the Belgian capital’s population are foreign nationals. The French, Romanians and Italians make up the bulk of these.
Q: If you want to study in Brussels, where are the best places to go?
The Universite libre de Bruxelles has three campuses in the city, and about 20,000 students, and the Vrije Univerisiteit Brussel, its sister university, has about 10,000 students. However, if you are moving to Brussels from the UK, note that the former is French-speaking while the latter is Dutch-speaking.
Q: What are the visa requirements if you are moving to Brussels?
A: UK citizens need a long-stay (Type D) visa to move to Brussels if you are staying longer than 90 days. You’ll need to apply for a visa based on your reason for moving, such as work or study, and gather documents like a valid passport, proof of funds, health insurance, and an application form. More information can be found on the Belgian embassy website here.