The Het Pint

Bringing in the New Year in Lanark style

The Tolbooth is home to local traditions such as the Het Pint on 1 January each year. The Het Pint was first recorded in the Burgh records in 1662. The tradition to provide Lanarkians with a warm drink to greet in the New Year, was taken from a bequest to the town, intended to put '5 penniless pupils' per year through their education at Lanark Grammar School. 

The tradition has adapted throughout the years with townspeople attending on New Year morning to collect their penny and a pint of mulled ale. This still happens today, with a 'secret recipe' of mulled wine being served (in a wine glass!) and the pensioners attending can claim a crisp new £1 note which are now in limited supply as national production has ceased.