| For many, the world's greatest New Year | | | | going to the next Hogmanay, it is worth bearing in |
| celebrations take place in Edinburgh and they certainly | | | | mind that as many revellers come from outside |
| wouldn't want to be anywhere else when the clock | | | | Edinburgh getting a hotel room can be a challenge. It |
| strikes midnight on 31st December. Four continuous | | | | is best to book well in advance as many of the |
| days of exuberant celebrations, during which the city | | | | bigger independent hotels and large chains such as |
| is alive with magical and amazing days and nights of | | | | Thistle hotels offer reasonably priced Hogmanay |
| entertainment, start on December 29th and climax on | | | | packages. |
| New Year's Day. | | | | With so many people wanting to be part of this |
| Annually, over 100,000 revellers descend on Edinburgh | | | | exciting spectacle only those holding passes, which |
| to welcome in the New Year known to the Scots as | | | | can be bought in advance, are allowed into the |
| Hogmanay. Although the origins of that phrase remain | | | | central party area. There is a huge choice of pubs, |
| uncertain there are many different theories. | | | | restaurants, and outside entertainment centered on |
| According to whom you believe Hogmanay has its | | | | Princess Street. Three stages all host live music, two |
| origins in French, Anglo-Saxon, Flemish, Gaelic, | | | | giant screens broadcast the revelry, and there is a |
| Scandinavian, or even Viking culture! | | | | Ceilidh in the gardens. At midnight a magnificent fire |
| A torch lit procession on the evening of December | | | | work display erupts over the seven hills signifying the |
| 29th kicks-off the extended celebrations. This is a | | | | start of the New Year and everyone joins hands to |
| stunningly visual family event which involves hundreds | | | | sing "Auld Lang Syne". |
| of characters in fancy dress carrying torches trailing | | | | After the official welcome to the New Year the |
| behind a group dressed as Vikings, who in turn are | | | | party continues until the early hours but the |
| dragging a traditional Long Ship up Edinburgh's Carlton | | | | festivities certainly don't stop there. On New Year's |
| Hill. A fantastic firework display signals that the | | | | Day witness the thousands of brave souls who take |
| procession has reached its destination, and then the | | | | a dip in the freezing cold Forth River, in a ritual known |
| torches are thrown into the Ship providing an | | | | as the Loony Dook. It's all for charity as is the reason |
| incredible climax as it burns bright; visible from many | | | | why many others will be running the Royal Mile. |
| parts of the city. | | | | For the kids there is a duathlon which involves a 600 |
| On the night before Hogmanay, the city holds a | | | | metre run, two miles cycling, and then a further 600 |
| monster Ceilidh which provides street theatre, music | | | | metre run. Adults can take part in a grueling triathlon, |
| and dance for all to enjoy. Then, onto New Year's | | | | if they really feel the urge! Alternatively, take it easy |
| Eve when the city is literally buzzing with anticipation | | | | after the night's exertions and treat yourself to |
| as tens of thousands of partygoers fill the streets. If | | | | Edinburgh's Dogmanay; husky dogs racing through |
| this description of the New Year celebrations is | | | | Holyrood Park. |
| whetting your appetite and you are now considering | | | | |