The following was the practice in my father’s house in Partick, between fifty and sixty years ago, on New Year’s day:—­On Hogmanay evening, children were all washed before going to bed.  An oat bannock was baked for each child:  it was nipped round the edge, had a hole in the centre, and was flavoured with carvey (carroway) seed.  Great care was taken that none of these bannocks should break in the firing, as such an occurrence was regarded as a very unlucky omen for the child whose bannock was thus damaged.  It denoted illness or death during the year.  Parents sat up till about half-past eleven, when the fire was covered, and every particle of ash swept up and carried out of the house.  All retired to bed before twelve o’clock, as it was unlucky not to be in bed as the New Year came in.  A watchful eye was kept on the fire lest it should go out, for such an event was regarded as very unlucky, and they would neither give nor receive a light from any one on New Year’s day.  Neither fire, ashes, nor anything belonging to the house was taken out of it on that day.  In the morning we children got our bannocks to breakfast.  They were small, and it was unlucky to leave any portion of them, although this was frequently done.  The first-foot was an important episode.  To visit empty-handed on this day was tantamount to wishing a curse on the family.  A plane-soled person was an unlucky first-foot; a pious sanctimonious person was not good, and a hearty ranting merry fellow was considered the best sort of first-foot.  It was necessary for luck that what was poured out of the first-foot’s gift, be it whiskey or other drink, should be drunk to the dregs by each recipient, and it was requisite that he should do the same by their’s.  It was against rule for any portion to be left, but if there did happen to be an unconsumed remnant, it was cast out.  With any subsequent visitor these particulars were not observed.  I remember that one year our first-foot was a man who had fallen and broken his bottle, and cut and bleeding was assisted into our house.  My mother made up her mind that this was a most unfortunate first-foot, and that something serious would occur in the family during that year.  I believe had the whole family been cut off, she would not have been surprised.  However, it was a prosperous year, and a bleeding first-foot was not afterwards considered bad.  If anything extraordinary did occur throughout the year, it was remembered and referred to afterwards.  One New Year’s day something was stolen out of our house; that year father and mother were confined to bed for weeks; the cause and effect were quite clear.  During the day neighbours visited each other with bottle and bun, every one overflowing with good wishes.  In the evening the family, old and young, were gathered together, those who during the year were out at service, the married with their families, and at this meal the best the family could afford was produced.  It was a happy time, long looked forward to, and long remembered by all.