Hogmanay and Handsel Monday Two Time Honoured Crieff Festivals
Alexander Porteous wrote the “ The History of Crieff “ which was published in 1912 and to this day is recognised as the definitive account of the towns illustrious and historic past . The following account reflects clearly how traditions can quite easily be forgotten as the social pattern change with the passing years . We look at two festivals which occurred close to one another at the start of the new year . Handsel Monday , alas is gone but the other Hogmanay has gone from strength to strength both locally here in the Strath , in Scotland and indeed the World ! “Two time honoured institutions – or perhaps they may more suitably be called festivals - for long celebrated in Crieff , as elsewhere , were “ Hogmanay “ the last evening of the year , and “ Handsel Monday “ , the first Monday of the New Year ( old style ) . The celebration of these still lingers , more from a legendary point of view , amongst the youngsters of Crieff ; b