Drink a New Year toast to Royal Burgh of Lanark

Lanark sees in the New Year tomorrow (Friday) morning with its traditional Het Pint toast to the Royal Burgh.
By Helen McCall
Published 31st Dec 2015, 10:39 BST
Handing over the £1 notes to claimant at the Het Pint (Pic Sarah Peters).Handing over the £1 notes to claimant at the Het Pint (Pic Sarah Peters).
Handing over the £1 notes to claimant at the Het Pint (Pic Sarah Peters).

In a tradition going back centuries – but one which has changed over the years - everyone is invited along to the Tolbooth around 9.45am for a 10am sharp start.

The Het Pint goes back to a bequest, or mortification, left by an Earl of Hyndford. That was originally to support scholars, but in later years it became the provision of a pint of hot mulled ale to the poor and needy on New Year’s Day.

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In more recent decades, that changed to a gift of a crisp £1 note to all claimants - the older citizens of the town – and a Het Pint glass of warm mulled wine (or orange juice for youngsters and drivers) for everyone to drink the toast.

The celebration is organised by the Community Council, with members brewing up the Het Pint, and vice chairman Leonard Gray will propose the toast tomorrow.