Lidl has announced that it will be giving away free coal in its Scottish stores to help shoppers celebrate a centuries-old Hogmanay tradition.
The budget retailer will have coal available at till points across its stores in Scotland on December 30 for anyone looking to partake in 'first footing' this New Year's Eve. The tradition refers to the first person to step into your home after the clock strikes midnight.
It has long been thought that whoever this person is will determine your household's luck for the next year. This is why traditionally they should bring with them gifts such as whisky, black buns, or coal.
In the past, the 'first foot' was also traditionally a dark-haired male. This quirk dates back to Viking times, when a blond man showing up at your home unannounced was usually a sign of trouble.
To celebrate Hogmanay, Lidl has also teamed up with leading Scottish bard Len Pennie, who has penned a poem about welcoming 2023.
Lidl's regional director for Scotland Ross Millar said: "At Lidl, we’re big on celebrating the best of Scottish culture - including our age-old tradition of first footing at Hogmanay. We are thrilled to be working with Len Pennie to share a poem that celebrates the return of our coal for first footers in an ode to the Scots language.
"Symbolising warmth for the year ahead, we hope this wee gesture brings a ‘Lidl’ joy to our customer’s Hogmanay celebrations this year."
Len Pennie's Hogmanay poem
Ma mammy says first fittin is a hing we've aye tae dae
It happens right after the bells on every hogmanay
The first fit that gangs through the door is aye the maist essential
An there's a muckle list ae hings ye need tae fit the richt credentials
It wis aye a man wae hair that's dark, wae somethin in his palm
Coal or whisky, salt or cash, some breid or a wee dram
He'd wait ootside in mirk an cauld till aw the bells have struck
Then pit his fit richt through the door an bring the hoose guid luck
The hing aboot traditions is they're aye subject tae change
We're aye adaptin hings tae fit a world that's awfy strange
So pit yer best fit furrit or at least the fit ye hae,
And mind tae find fit fit fits fit afore next hogmanay
So may lums reek wae coal ye bring, wae drinks an plenty snacks
An mind an pit yer feet up fur a few days tae relax!
It's no been awfy easy, wae the weather, rules an smitt
but jist the same as every year we'll aye find a guid fit
So we'll be waitin ootside tae the bells have aw been rung
An jist afore oor faimily greet an auld lang syne is sung
We'll gie a chap upon the door an poke oor wee fit through
Tae banish oot the auld year an tae welcome wan that's new
An gin ye arenae tall or male, that's ootwith yer control,
But abdy can bring salt an cash, a whisky dram an coal
I hope ye end yer year wae peace an fun on hogmanay
May every fit that's through yer door bring guid luck oan its way
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