VISITORS to a historic castle this weekend may find themselves burning juniper leaves, cutting holes in cheese and walking around while holding a fish above their heads.
The unusual activities are part of Hogmanay House, a “first foot adventure” at Lauriston Castle which combines contemporary magic with elements from Scotland’s traditional new year celebrations, a feast which took precedence over Christmas following the Reformation.
The festivities were often known as “the daft days”; also the title of Robert Fergusson’s 1772 poem where he contrasted midwinter’s bleak skies with the lights and merriment of Auld Reekie.
“Be thou prepar’d,” Fergusson warned however, “to hedge us frae that black banditti, the City Guard.”
The daft days don’t end, strictly-speaking, until January 6, once known as Handsel Monday in Scotland, where it was customary to exchange a gift as a good luck token for the coming year.
That’s surely license to have a party this weekend – if you can keep out of trouble.
And visitors to Hogmanay House will be well occupied by a group of entertainers including singer-songwriter Ainsley Hamill (pictured), musician Ron Jappy, mindreader Drew McAdam, storyteller Jock Ferguson and card magician Lewis Barlow.
READ MORE: Scottish Hogmanay spirit stays alive for Big Burns Supper
They’ll also be invited to explore the 16th-century castle’s rooms, secret passages and hidden chambers as they discover more about Hogmanay and take part in rituals involving “lucky cheese” and burning juniper to ward off illness and evil spirits.
Hogmanay House is held as part of the Edinburgh International Magic Festival, which recently moved from its usual summer slot to winter following the success of the MagicFest Christmas Show which they have run for the past three years.
Organisers Svetlana McMahon and her magician husband Kevin Quantum completed preparations for the event at Lauriston Castle earlier this week.
“Scotland has some wonderful Hogmanay traditions, and this is a time of year that is closely associated with the mystical and magical,” says McMahon.
READ MORE: Fruitmarket Gallery to double in size in next summer re-opening
“Hogmanay House is a fun way to welcome in the new year with a celebration of Scottish culture,
plus entertainment by some wonderful performers, who will entertain audiences with magic, mind-reading, music, stories and song.”
McMahon adds: “We very much look forward to welcoming people into this beautiful and historic building for a real first footing adventure.”
Today and tomorrow, Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh, 3.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm, £20 adult, £18 concs, £15 child. Tel: 0131 226 0006. www.magicfest.co.uk
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here