I wish all my friends and blog pal's a very joyful 2007.. But do you now ?

It's traditional in Scotland to go "first-footing" on Hogmanay, a wonderful excuse to go out visiting friends and partying all night, but certain things are essential to make your New Year go with a swing. Here's our pocket guide....

Hawf (half) Bottle Your most important travelling companion. For it's traditional - and polite - to offer just about everyone you see a "dram". It's also traditional for it to be whisky. Though in these more cosmopolitan times, it could be anything alcoholic.

Lump of Coal In days of yore never mind the whisky, it was traditional for First Footers to carry a lump of coal with them. This was lovingly placed on the host's fire. If you're determined to do Hogmanay by the book then take the coal by all means but be prepared for some grief when you set it on top of the central heating radiators!

Toasts Not pieces of carbonised bread in case of hunger pangs on your New Year yomp, but the good wishes you bestow on Hogmanay gatherings.

A simple and appropriate one is: A guid New Year to ane an a' And mony may ye see (A good New Year to one and all And many may you see)

The more jingoistic may offer: Here's tae us. Wha's like us. Damn few, and they're a' deid! (Here's to us. Who's like us. Not many, and they're all dead!)

Depending on the type of gathering you are attending you may hear other "toasts". They could be: Gaun yoursel', Big Man! (You're a big chap, drinking a lot and are going to continue to do so!)

Gie it laldie! Happy new year *!!* hick"!!**