Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland

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For today’s Geo Quiz we are going to Scotland where New Year’s Eve is big. Most Scots refer to it as “hogmanay” and celebrations take place all over the country. We are going to one of the most remote Hogomanay celebrations in Scotland. Here is a hint: It’s on an island. There are lots of Scottish islands, so here is another hint: The island is off Scotland’s west coast. You can catch a ferry there from Oban on the Scottish mainland, which takes about five hours. One more hint: the main town on this island is Lochboisdale.

So which place are we talking about?

Geo Answer:

The answer to today’s Geo Quiz is South Uist. A New Year’s party is taking place there at a small hotel called the Polochar Inn. That’s where the BBC is broadcasting its live Gaelic New Year’s Eve celebrations. Gaelic is tha language that is spoken by many in Scotland’s Western Isles. Host Lisa Mullins talks to John Joseph to find out more.

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Discussion

3 comments for “Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland”

  • Steven E. MacIntyre

    Great stuff!

    Many of my ancestors came from South Uist, emigrating first to Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia and and from there to New England.

    During the 1970s and 1980s my father used to travel Scotland playing golf, and at the end of the day on the links in South Uist, playing the 19th hole in local pubs, met many cousins who were able to determine not only that they were related to my dad, but often the exact degree of consanguinity.

    • Carol Zall

      Thanks for the feedback, Steven. I produced that item for yesterday’s show. I can’t claim to have any relatives in Uist, but I’ve been there many times and would have loved to have been there for the Hogmanay ceilidh last night. It’s a fantastic place!
      Carol Zall

  • Steve MacIntyre

    I envy you, Carol.

    I’ve never been to Uist.