William Wallace Heritage Trust
Lanark Events - The Het Pint
The Het Pint ceremony, held annually on Ne'erday, is an old custom peculiar to Lanark. Hardy citizens of the town - some early risers, some wending their weary way abed - meet at the Tolbooth at ten in the morning and receive a glass of mulled wine, courtesy of the Royal Burgh Community Council. A pound coin is also given to any older person attending who cares to claim one. The ceremony is believed to have its origin in a 'mortification' or bequest for educational and other 'pious' purposes made by Lord Carmichael - later Lord Hyndford - to the town in the mid 1600's. Although there is nothing in the records to prove it, it is likely that the Town Council invented the ceremony, using some of the monies to dispense good cheer in the form of a pint of hot spiced ale to the needy, on a happy occasion in cold mid winter. Lockhart of Baronald wrote in the 1790's that the Council spent £30 Scots on the Het Pint at that time. The ceremony was and is very popular and is a favourite of Lanarkians to this day.
