HOGMANAY celebrations are expected to go ahead as planned despite the storms that have battered the country over the last few days.
In Stonehaven the spectacular fireball ceremony has never been cancelled other than during the two world wars, and will take place as usual to herald the New Year.
One of the most memorable fire festivals in the UK, the fireball ceremony consists of people of all ages swinging flaming wire cages around their heads in an attempt to burn off the bad spirits left from the old year so that the spirits of the new year can come in clean and fresh.
The event starts at midnight, lasts 25 minutes and is watched by thousands. The midnight ceremony is preceded by the town’s Open Air In The Square party, this year headlined by pop favourites Deacon Blue, who will take the stage in the footsteps of Scots rock giants Simple Minds, new wave favourites The Human League and pipe-rock crowd-pleasers the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Nearby Aberdeen is also bringing in the New Year with live music and a fireworks display outside His Majesty’s Theatre at midnight.
In Stirling there is a Carnival of Light and Sound with an early evening parade through the city centre followed by entertainment at King’s Park and fireworks at midnight.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is the UK’s biggest outdoor winter music festival. The Concert in the Gardens, which this year sold out in record time, is headlined by Biffy Clyro, who will be joined by special guests Idlewild and Honeyblood in an all-Scottish line-up. The Street Party will see performances from Maximo Park, Slaves and White on the Waverley Stage while the new Scottish Stage on Castle Street welcomes Shooglenifty, Peatbog Faeries and Rura.
BBC Radio 6 Music’s Craig Charles will provide the soundtrack to the Street Party live from the Frederick Street stage and will be broadcast across screens along the length of Princes Street. Cabaret performers, Guilty Pleasures, take over the Mound Stage fresh from their sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this summer.
The world’s largest outdoor ceilidh moves into its new home in Parliament Square and becomes the Old Town Ceilidh as 4,000 revellers birl their way through the bells with four live ceilidh bands performing over two stages. It is hoped that revellers will smash the Guinness World Record for the largest Strip the Willow – with a target of 2016 participants. Dancers are advised to wear sturdy, flat footwear as much of the area has cobbled streets.
A free Hogmanay NightBus Service once again runs throughout the capital, supported by sponsors Diageo and Lothian Buses with additional funding from Essential Edinburgh. The service starts at 00.20am and runs until 4am. Stagecoach, in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council, will be operating free Hogmanay NightBuses from the city centre to South Queensferry. Details of times and routes can be found at www.edinburghshogmanay.com.
While all tickets for Concert in the Gardens, The Old Town Ceilidh and The Candlelit Concert are sold out, there are still Street Party wristbands available – these can be booked on-line at www.edinburghshogmanay.com or by phone on 0844 573 8455, but must be collected from the Box Office at 180 High Street, Edinburgh before 8pm today.
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