Retailer Lidl supplies free coal for first-footing

A supermarket chain is encouraging people across Scotland to reignite the tradition of first-footing this Hogmanay.

Lidl will be supplying a free lump of coal for shoppers across its 96 stores north of the border from Saturday as it bids to continue the new year ritual which dates back 400 years.

The retailer said it will be providing enough coal to serve up to 100,000 homes across the country.

A first-footer is the first person to visit a house after the new year. They are supposed to bring luck for the year ahead by bearing symbolic gifts such as coal, whisky and shortbread.

Scotland is world-renowned for its many Hogmanay traditions, which also include joining hands to sing Auld Lang Syne at midnight, and swinging balls of fire through the streets of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.