When the gude wife gets up, and having ceased from coughing, has gained sufficient strength to reach the bottle _dhu_, she administers its comfort to the relief of the sufferers; laughter takes the place of complaint, all the family get up, wash their faces, and receive the visits of their neighbours, who arrive full of congratulations peculiar to the day. _Mu nase choil orst_, “My Candlemas bond upon you,” is the customary salutation, and means, in plain words, “You owe me a New Year’s gift.” A point of great emulation is, who shall salute the other first, because the one who does so is entitled to a gift from the person saluted. Breakfast, consisting of all procurable luxuries, is then served, the neighbours not engaged are invited to partake, and the day ends in festivity.--_Popular Superstitions of the Highlanders of Scotland_, Stewart, 1851. Pennant, in his _Tour in Scotland_ (1790, vol. i. p. 206), says that on New Year’s Day the Highlanders burn juniper before their cattle. FORFARSHIRE. At the commencement of the New Year[5] the opulent burghers of Montrose begin to feast with their friends, and to go a round of visits, which takes up the space of many weeks. Upon such occasions, the gravest is expected to be merry, and to join in a cheerful song.--_Stat. Acc. of Scotland_, Sinclair, 1793, vol. v. p. 48. [5] Also at Christmas. ORKNEY ISLES. At Lady, companies of men go to the houses of the rich, and awake the family by singing the New Year’s song, in full chorus. When the song is concluded, the family entertain the musicians with ale and bread, and give them a smoked goose or a piece of beef.--_Stat. Acc. of Scotland_, 1845, vol. xv. p. 142. At the parishes of Cross, Burness, &c., New Year’s gifts, under the title of “Christmas presents,” are given to maid-servants by their masters.--_Stat. Account of Scotland_, Sinclair, 1793, vol. vii. p. 488. HANDSEL MONDAY. SCOTLAND.