Fiddler's Hearth rings in the new year with Scottish traditions

 

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- While New Year's Day may not be celebrated until midnight eastern time, the dozens of people gathered at Fiddler's Hearth in downtown South Bend rang in the new year at 7 p.m., or midnight Scottish time.

When Christmas was banned in Scotland in 1560 due to the country's separation from the Catholic church, New Years Eve became the primary holiday of the season.

So, Fiddler's Hearth celebrates in the Scottish tradition every year, bringing forward food, dancing, music and many other traditions.

Perhaps the most prominent tradition; the "First-Foot" entrance, where the characteristics of the first person who crosses the threshold of the building once the new year begins, determines how well the new year will go.

A redhead being the first through the door is bad luck, but a tall, dark-haired man indicates that the new year will be a good one.

This year, ABC57's own Chief Meteorologist Tom Coomes was the guest of honor who crossed the threshold of Fiddler's Hearth with scotch and peat in-hand, two things that indicate warmth for the new year.