Drink a toast to the Royal Burgh of Lanark in 2015

ONE of Lanark’s oldest traditions, the Het Pint, takes place this morning, New Year’s Day, at 10am sharp!
By Helen McCall
Published 1st Jan 2015, 07:00 BST
One we brewed earlier...ready for a Het Pint toast from chairman Frank Gunning (Pic Andrew Wilson)One we brewed earlier...ready for a Het Pint toast from chairman Frank Gunning (Pic Andrew Wilson)
One we brewed earlier...ready for a Het Pint toast from chairman Frank Gunning (Pic Andrew Wilson)

The issuing of the mulled drink dates back centuries, to a bequest - or mortification - originally left by an Earl of Hyndford to help educate scholars.

Somehow that changed to the distribution of a hot pint to the poor and needy on New Year’s morning, and it later changed again to a cash gift to pensioners.

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Now all those turning up can drink a toast to the Royal Burgh in the warm wine, or something non-alcoholic, and pensioner claimants receive a crisp £1 note.

The event takes place at 10am - sharp! - on January 1 in Lanark Tolbooth.

Nowadays it is organised by the Royal Burgh of Lanark Community Council.

The 2015 Het Pint will again be brewed by Bill Stewart, carrying on that duty despite his recent retirement from the Community Council.

The event is over quickly, so don’t be late!