And because the big Edinburgh party is cancelled we’re looking longingly at Hotmanay away from chilly Scotland.
The diaspora will be digging out their black bun (cake), coins, whisky and shortbread.
For health, wealth and happiness.
The greater Scottish family
Whether on a beach or lakeside the greater Scottish family will be expressing their good will.
And saying: ‘Seas between us braid hae roar’d sin auld lang syne.
‘And there’s a hand, my trusty fiere! And gie’s a hand o’ thine!
‘And we’ll tak a right gude-willy waught, for auld lang syne.’
Then wonder what the heck we’re saying.
Although by then we’ve taken more than enough ‘cups of kindness yet’ for it not to matter.
Canadian Caledonians
Now while many of us will know that it was Scottish Bard Robert Burns who popularised the song in the 18th century.
But few will give a nod to Canadian bandleader Guy Lombardo around midnight tonight.
For making it the international New Year’s anthem it is today.
After he and his Royal Canadian Big Band played it on a New Year’s Eve broadcast in New York in 1929.
A song he had taken with him from Scottish western Ontario.
And whose nostalgia embodied the diaspora experience.
Burns in the Caribbean
Burns himself was no doubt entertaining such thoughts when he was planning to relocate to the Caribbean.
And who could blame him, particularly when you can find all our fave customs embraced.
With pipe bands, ceilidhs, Scottish food and drink mixed in with Caribbean cheer.
All of which is surely drawing us back in ‘25.
And, of course, in Barbados you won’t have to wait for Hotmanay away from chilly Scotland.
You can overdose on tartan at their Barbados Celtic Festival in May.
And back to Scotland and here’s a wee treat from the best Burns singer around, the inimitable Eddi Reader.
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE AND MEET YOU ON THE ROAD