Hogmanay – New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh

I’m a New Year’s Eve grouch. Just between us, isn’t New Year’s Eve probably the most overrated celebration of the year? And since I don’t feel like organizing a lavish party, I thought to myself last year: Then I’ll just go to a party. No sooner said than done. Last year we celebrated 2014 together with euphoric Finns on Senate Square in Helsinki. A great start to the year!

This year, the choice fell on Edinburgh. The Scots know how to really let it rip on New Year’s Eve! The New Year’s celebration here is called Hogmanay and is one of the most important Scottish festivals. The festivities are not limited to 31 December, but start on 30 December and last until 1 January.

December 30 – Torchlight Procession

Hogmanay opens with a torchlight procession from the George IV Bridge in the Old Town via Princes Street to Calton Hill. To participate in the parade, you must register in advance. The torches cost £10 each.

Around 35,000 people take part in the procession. This year, too, it was completely sold out a few days before. The highlight of the parade are the bagpipers marching at the front and the “Vikings”. We strategically positioned ourselves near the North Bridge and waited there for the head of the Torchlight Procession. As soon as it was done, it was time to get a good place on the bridge. From here you can get one of the best views of the final fireworks of the procession, which is fired off on Calton Hill. Those who march in the parade can of course admire the fireworks directly on Calton Hill.

December 31 – Street party, concerts and fireworks

One of the biggest open-air New Year’s Eve parties starts on December 31 at 7:00 pm. The ticket to the so-called Street Party on Princes Street costs £22.20. I bought tickets for £41 each for the “Concert in the Gardens” event taking place at the same time. With these tickets you also have access to the Street Party, but also access to the main stage directly below the castle. This year, the Abba cover band Björn Again heated up the audience. This was followed by Soul II Soul and the main act was Lily Allen on stage around midnight. This year, Lily Allen didn’t meet with great enthusiasm as the main act, but this event was also sold out in the end.

We started the evening comfortably, headed for the concert area around 9 o’clock and secured a seat at the very top of the barrier. Big plus: you can lean against it. Fortunately, the weather was merciful and held back the rain. We braved the fresh breeze with warm clothes.

From nine o’clock, party guests are entertained every hour with a mini fireworks display. Shortly before noon, the countdown is followed by a bombastic fireworks spectacle and the joint singing of “Auld Lang Syne”.

 

January 1 – Scot:Lands

The first day of the new year presented itself in the Scottish manner in a rainy look. We had previously considered whether we should participate as spectators at the annual “Loony Dook” event in South Queensferry. With the impressive Forth Rail Bridge as a panorama, numerous daring disguised figures plunge into the waters of the Forth River. For me, the event itself was secondary. I wanted to take a closer look at the magnificent railway bridge – engineering from the late 19th century. But that’s no fun when it’s raining.

So instead we went to the National Museum of Scotland around 12:00 noon, which is an architectural gem. Coincidentally, the National Museum was also the starting point for the Scot:Lands event. At a total of ten stations, spread throughout Edinburgh’s Old Town, traditional dances, music, stories and films are presented. You can find out where you’re going next by turning the compass. Since registration is recommended for participation in the event and I hadn’t done that in advance, we left the National Museum without having turned the compass. Since it was still pouring down, we took shelter in the Scottish Storytelling Centre (another architectural highlight in the old town). Funnily enough, this was also one of the Scot:Lands stations and so we unexpectedly got tickets (participation is free of charge).

We didn’t have enough time to visit all the stations. Nevertheless, it was a great afternoon with a diverse insight into Scottish culture and tradition. Definitely my personal Hogmanay highlight!

It doesn’t matter if you’re young, old, party animal or couch potato. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay has something for everyone! If you want to start the new year full of emotions and traditions, Edinburgh is the right place for you. By the way, it is worthwhile to organize the tickets for the events that you definitely want to attend in advance. It’s all tip-top online.