New-Year’s night, or Hogmanay, was variously known as “the night of the candle” (_oidhche Choinnle_) and “the night of the blows or pelting” (_oidhche nan Calluinnean, a Challuinn_). The former name may have been derived from some religious ceremonies being performed by candle-light, as is suggested to be the origin of the English name Candlemas (2nd February), or from a candle being kept lighted till the New Year came in. The other name is said to be from the showers of rattling blows given to a dry cow’s hide used in the ceremonies of the evening, _colluinn_ being also used to denote a thundering blow, or what is called in the Lowlands “a loundering lick” (_stràic mhòr_). Thus, _thug e aon cholluinn air_ (he gave him one resounding blow); _bi tu air do dheagh cholluinneachadh_ (you will be severely beaten). The word, however, as was long ago pointed out by Lhuyd (_Archæologia Britannica_, 1707) is from _Calendae_, the first day of every month, this being the beginning of the whole year, and the night being in the Highlands reckoned as preceding the day. CALLUINN. Towards evening men began to gather and boys ran about shouting and laughing, playing shinty, and rolling “pigs of snow” (_mucan sneachda_), _i.e._ large snowballs. The hide of the mart or winter cow (_seiche a mhairt gheamhraidh_) was wrapped round the head of one of the men, and he made off, followed by the rest, belabouring the hide, which made a noise like a drum, with switches. The disorderly procession went three times _deiseal_, according to the course of the sun (_i.e._ keeping the house on the right hand) round each house in the village, striking the walls and shouting on coming to a door: “The _calluinn_ of the yellow bag of hide, Strike the skin (upon the wall) An old wife in the graveyard, An old wife in the corner, Another old wife beside the fire, A pointed stick in her two eyes, A pointed stick in her stomach, Let me in, open this.”[54] Before this request was complied with, each of the revellers had to repeat a rhyme, called _Rann Calluinn_ (_i.e._ a Christmas rhyme), though, as might be expected when the door opened for one, several pushed their way in, till it was ultimately left open for all. On entering each of the party was offered refreshments, oatmeal bread, cheese, flesh, and a dram of whisky. Their leader gave to the goodman of the house that indispensable adjunct of the evening’s mummeries, the _Caisein-uchd_, the breast-stripe of a sheep wrapped round the point of a shinty stick. This was then singed in the fire (_teallach_), put three times with the right-hand turn (_deiseal_) round the family, and held to the noses of all. Not a drop of drink was given till this ceremony was performed. The _Caisein-uchd_ was also made of the breast-stripe or tail of a deer, sheep, or goat, and as many as choose had one with them.