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