Scotland does not celebrate New Year. It doesn’t need to as it boasts Hogmanay. You’d expect quite a party from the nation that brought the world its turn of the year anthem, Auld Lang Syne. And there is nothing quite like Hogmanay in the Scottish capital. Edinburgh’s party has become legendary across the globe and with good reason.
Each year thousands of people from all over the world make the pilgrimage to Edinburgh’s cobbled streets to bring in the New Year with a flurry of drinking, partying, and yes, a fair bit of hugging and kissing too. This year will be bigger than ever thanks to the massively innovative #Blogmanay!
Hogmanay Traditions
The traditions of Hogmanay go back way through the centuries in Scotland to the days when Pagan beliefs were celebrated by the wild tribes in the glens. In those days strange rituals were performed on the big night, like burning a horse’s head then wearing it over your own! While mercifully these traditions have been watered down today weird stuff still happens. Like ‘first footing’ when the first person to enter your house after midnight (‘the bells’ in Scotland) should be a tall, dark stranger carrying a lump of coal. Of course, today, if you turn up with a full bottle of whisky that is definitely preferable!
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
Over the last decade or so Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has mushroomed from a drunken snogathon on the Royal Mile into a multi-million pound extravaganza whose main street party is the big event. The whole thing now lasts for nigh on a week. Every year the street party takes over Edinburgh as the entire city centre is sealed off and only those with tickets will be allowed in. Inside the cordon thousands of revellers crowd Princes Street and get into the mood as the clock ticks down to the midnight hour.
When the clock hits midnight all hell breaks loose. A volley of fireworks rips open the dark skies around the castle and its ramparts are bathed in multicoloured light. As the fireworks crack and bang overhead, they light up the rosy-cheeked faces of the revellers celebrating the New Year in that time honoured Scottish tradition – embracing the nearest stranger like an age old friend.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is not for the faint-hearted, but it is a nefarious experience that you will never forget. Tickets for the Hogmanay bash are strictly limited after a problem with overcrowding a few years back, so make sure you buy yours in advance.
Some hotels and guesthouses can also organise tickets, but check ahead.
Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens
Another way of guaranteeing you get in is by buying a ticket to The Concert in the Gardens, which is a touch of class. While the crowds queue above on Princes Street you get to sit down waiting for some top live music before watching the midnight fireworks from the prime position of the pavilion that nestles below the castle. Then you can wander freely up the street party and get in without having to worry about tickets.
This year the headliners are the Lily Allen. In support are Soul II Soul and Bjorn Again. Other stages outside the gardens keep the rest of the street party going.
Elsewhere Around Edinburgh
Although the focus is on the big night itself, there is plenty else happening around Hogmanay to keep you in the city for longer. On December 30 the Torchlight Procession snakes its way through the city, with local pagans and tourists alike enjoying the orgy of fire and flame.
If you book in advance you can even get your own torch to wander through the streets with and then snap all sorts of weird and wonderful photos of yourself to send to your worried friends and family back home.
A Big Wheel and the Star Flyer – which whirls riders around at 60 metres opening up amazing views of Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens from its location next to the Scott Monument – are also on hand to keep revellers entertained. As is the St Andrew’s Square Christmas Garden, which boasts boutique stalls, an ice rink, carousel and numerous food and drink outlets.
Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets
Then, of course, there are the Christmas Markets, which any self-respecting British city has to sport these days. Right into the early days of January a flurry of festive markets buzz into life. The most famous of the stalls that lie in the shadow of that epic castle come all the way from Germany, with all the traditional goodies like Glühwein and gingerbread on offer at the traditional German Market.
One of the most bizarre events is The Loony Dook. This involves heading for the chilly waters of the Firth of Forth, stripping off and then plunging headfirst into the water on January 1. It is certainly a good way of shaking off a serious Hogmanay hangover – that is if you survive the hypothermia!.
#Blogmanay
If you have heard all sorts of wild and wonderful stories about Edinburgh at Hogmanay then the chances are they are probably true. One MASSIVE extra this year is #Blogmanay. This innovative social media and blog project is now in its third year. It sees renowned bloggers from all over the world come to the Scottish capital to write about Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
If you have always wanted to go or are not sure what to do this Hogmanay, then head to the Scottish capital where the party will be wilder than ever. All in all it is a party that you are guaranteed to never, ever forget.
More Information
Christmas Festival Website – www.edinburghschristmas.com
Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival – www.edinburghshogmanay.com
*This article comes in association with #blogmanay, which is brought to you by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and is supported by ETAG, EventScotland, VisitScotland, Homecoming Scotland 2014 and co-creators Haggis Adventures. Created and produced by Unique Events. As always all opinions expressed here are entirely our own.