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