SUPERMARKET chain Lidl is set to offer up free coal across its Scottish stores to help keep a Hogmanay tradition alive.
For hundreds of years, people across Scotland have celebrated the new year with the “first footing” - by welcoming strangers into their homes to bring good luck for the year ahead.
The guests usually bring a small gift of whisky, shortbread, coal, salt, a piece of coal or a black bun.
