As they count down to the bells in traditional Scottish style, a lively evening is assured as drink flows and Beth's legendary steak pie comes out of the oven.
Secrets are revealed, tempers fray, scores are settled and a gazebo is destroyed.
When Eric defrosts everything in the freezer, Beth decides to cook it all at once and invite Cathy, Colin, Ian, Jaz, Christine and Sophie over to eat it all.
Disaster following a row with Sophie means that Christine has to stay over at Eric and Beth's. Beth isn't impressed with the new makeover Eric has done of Ian's old room. Cathy and Colin have a bust-up when she discovers that Colin has been using his laptop for something quite unrelated to work.
All Eric wants for his birthday is peace and quiet. And there's great embarrassment amongst the Bairds when their old family photo is dragged out of the loft.
Beth's hopes of a nice traditional Sunday lunch collapse when Cathy and Colin arrive arguing, Jaz locks himself in the toilet, and uninvited guests Christine and Sophie turn up to enjoy the lovely roast lamb and organic potatoes the Bairds have been preparing all morning.
Cathy invites the neighbours round to enjoy an extravagant spread of shop-bought nibbles to celebrate Colin's dad's birthday, but Beth has to step in and rescue the party.
Technophobe Christine faces a computer crisis when she goes online to buy a Barneyboo Buggy and her screen freezes. Beth has got more company at home in the shape of Ian and Jaz.
Beth hosts the perfect baby shower for Sophie but nobody seems to be taking it seriously. Jaz is sporting a black eye after a run-in with a packing box.
Beth and Eric's plans for a quiet Christmas are dashed when all the neighbours descend on them. Ian's new boyfriend Gordon finds his festive day taking an unexpected turn too.
Cathy's jealousy over Colin's ex-girlfriend nearly derails Burns Night. Not everyone is enthusiastic about eating haggis, least of all vegetarian Gordon.
Ian and Gordon take Beth out for a pub lunch to celebrate her birthday, which is hijacked first by an uninvited Christine, then by a drunk Colin and by an intimate photograph.
Back from a quiz night at the pub, everyone is encouraged to reveal their hidden talents. Cathy is very bendy but Gordon not quite as agile as everyone had hoped.
The new couple on the street are invited to Beth's to meet the neighbours. Everyone warms to them except for Cathy, whose competitive instincts get a little out of hand.
Beth and Eric think their son Ian is taking them out for their 30th wedding anniversary dinner - but find instead that he and his boyfriend Gordon have organised a surprise party at their house. And the gang’s all there.
A Christmas holiday break at Colin and Cathy’s luxury lodge in the Scottish Highlands threatens to derail the neighbours’ friendship when Cathy pushes Beth too far.
Beth has cooked a curry for Ian and Gordon’s anniversary, but there’s no such thing as a quiet family meal, what with the neighbours inviting themselves over and completely hijacking the occasion.
Beth is ill in bed and in desperate need of some rest. But the neighbours have decided Eric isn’t coping and are convinced they know how to nurse Beth back to health.
It’s merry and bright at Michelle and Alan’s, but with Christine feeling vulnerable and Alan’s attempt to de-stress Ian backfiring, Michelle struggles to keep the evening on track.
Alan’s brother is getting married, and he’s the best man, although it turns out nobody has any confidence in his abilities to do anything other than order two puddings at the meal.
The neighbours are getting sticky with a family sized box of doughnuts when the new health-conscious residents, Ash and Iqbal, turn up to introduce themselves.
Cathy and Colin are back from their Italian holiday and hosting a soiree to show off how popular they are. But as the duty-free wine flows, tensions soon bubble to the surface.
Colin is vulnerable after being unceremoniously dumped. Beth and Eric are doing their best, but conversation is already strained when Christine steams in demanding gory details.
Alan is laid up on the sofa after an accident. Beth and Eric are looking after him when Christine arrives with goodies, and Colin can’t wait to share details of internet dates.
There's great excitement as Colin introduces the neighbours to his new partner, Anne Marie. But the gang are quickly taken aback by her enthusiastic approach to the dinner party.
Beth and Eric are throwing Christine a 69th birthday party, but the celebration gets usurped by chat about a funeral, which leads Christine to start thinking about her own.
Chaos ensues as Ian and Gordon’s pals park up at Beth and Eric’s for their Aussie holiday, and an organised Morven becomes increasingly tense with Lin’s lack of packing skills.
Taking advantage of the weather, the neighbours head for the back garden, but it’s hardly relaxing as Beth fields criticisms of everything from her garden furniture to her slabs.
It’s a welcome break at the coffee shop after a spot of Christmas shopping, where Christine surprises the neighbours with some uncharacteristic festive generosity.
Over at Colin's house, the neighbours are gathered for a surprise birthday party for Anne Marie. But when the doorbell goes, it's Colin who gets the big surprise.
A new bathroom is a big commitment, and Christine can’t decide, driving Beth and Eric demented. Meanwhile, Cathy and Michelle bond over a boozy lunch, but will this new friendship last?
Ian's school friend Darren turns up out the blue sparking many memories - and when the neighbours probe into their past relationship, Gordon finds himself in a spiral of paranoia.
It's Father's Day at the Carvery for Ian, Gordon and their parents – and Christine, who wangled an invitation. As she grumps about the beef, Gordon grapples with family revelations.
It's payday, so Michelle invites the neighbours round for a Chinese takeaway. As they wait for their food to arrive, Eric shares his love of Billy Connolly.
Alan and Michelle are bleary-eyed off a delayed flight from Las Vegas. They’ve got big news to share with the neighbours, but their exciting announcement gets quickly out of hand.