Out with the old, in with the new
With everything from street parties and family-friendly ceilidhs to wonderful torchlight celebrations, there’s no excuse for staying home this Hogmanay, writes Susan Welsh
Published:
IN SCOTLAND, Hogmanay is a magical night, a time to remember the highs and lows of the year that has just passed, and a chance to usher in the new year in style, by throwing a massive party.
With fabulous fire and light displays, song and dance, old traditions and community events ranging from massive street parties in Inverness, Edinburgh and Glasgow, to cheery ceilidhs in wee village halls, there’s plenty on offer to help you welcome in 2010 in style.
Highlights include:
INVERNESS
The Hogmanay celebrations begin with a traditional ecumenical service at 7.30pm within historic St Andrew’s Cathedral on the banks of the River Ness.
This year’s service will take the form of choral evensong with Father James Bell from St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church, Inverness.
Everybody is welcome to attend this service and organisers hope those visiting the Highland capital for the first time will take the opportunity to experience a service in this beautiful church.
At 8.30pm, the gates to the Northern Meeting Park, adjacent to the cathedral, open to allow revellers into Scotland’s largest free Hogmanay party.
It’s headlined by Scotland’s favourite Hogmanay party band, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, along with special guests Blazin’ Fiddles and the Peatbog Faeries.
Steven Graham, drummer with the Chilli Pipers said: “We took part in the St Andrew’s Day celebrations at the Northern Meeting Park last year and absolutely loved the atmosphere there, so we were delighted to be asked back for Hogmanay this year.
“The show will feature lots of lively music, with numbers such as Smoke on the Water, 100 Pipers and our new single, Little Drummer Boy.
“The boys and I are really looking forward to it, especially as a lot of our wives, girlfriends and family are coming to Inverness with us.”
For further details visit www.invernessfestivals.com
EDINBURGH
The capital city’s Hogmanay party is the biggest New Year celebration in the world, with 250,000 revellers expected over the whole event.
It’s much more than a one-night party, as the festival runs from December 29 through to January 2, and features music, dance, art, fireworks, street theatre, light and fire.
Tickets to the street party cost £10, with tickets for the concert in the gardens priced at £37.50.
Highlights of the festival include:
The street party, which features three stages of incredible music and entertainment, giant screens, a light and laser spectacular, and the world-famous Hogmanay fireworks.
Acts appearing there include The Enemy, The Cuban Brothers and Frightened Rabbit.
Performances on the main stages from West Princes Street Gardens start at 9pm and feature The Noisettes, Codeine Velvet Club and headliners Madness.
Other events include The Keilidh – an outdoor ceilidh set beneath the breathtaking backdrop of Edinburgh’s Old Town, and Off Kilter, a fabulous fusion of ballet, hip-hop and traditional Highland dance set to Scottish music in the groundbreaking dance premiere at the Edinburgh Festival Theatre (www.offkilter.org.uk).
For those in the mood for a bit of culture, then the candlelit Concert in St Giles’ Cathedral should fit the bill. This year’s concert marks the 250th anniversary of Handel’s death with his celebratory Coronation Anthems, including Zadok the Priest. This feast of Baroque music will be performed by members of St Giles’ Cathedral Choir and young soloists.
It takes place at the cathedral on the Royal Mile at 7.30pm.
Meanwhile, on January 1, there’s a chance to shake off your hangover with a dip in the Firth of Forth, at the annual Loony Dook event.
Those taking part in the fundraising fancy dress event are asked to assemble at The Moorings Pub, 24-26 Hopetoun Road, South Queensferry, from 10am–11.30am, with the dook taking place at noon.
Log on to www.theloonydook.co.uk for inspiration. For further details of Edinburgh’s events visit www.edinburghshogmanay.com or call 0844 894 2010.
STIRLING
See in the New Year on the esplanade of iconic Stirling Castle from 9.30pm, with the gates opening an hour earlier.
The line-up includes Sandi Thom and X Factor favourites The MacDonald Brothers, plus Freddie Mercury performer Gary Mullen, who won Stars In Their Eyes, to rock towards midnight.
As 2009 turns into 2010, massed pipes and drums will cross the castle drawbridge and the night sky will be illuminated by thousands of fireworks.
Tickets are priced at £15. For further information visit www.stirling.gov.uk/hogmanay or call 01786 47 3544 or 01786 27 4000.
STONEHAVEN
Commonly known as The Fireballs, this is possibly Scotland’s most dramatic Hogmanay celebration.
At the stroke of midnight, strong local men and women make their way through the seaside town, swinging heavy flaming balls above their heads with gusto as the dark skies are memorably illuminated.
They continue to the harbour where they hurl the fireballs into the sea accompanied by the sound of pipe bands and drums.
Pre-parade, there’s entertainment in the town’s Market Square, running from 8pm until 1am, with DJs, live music, fairground rides, food and drink stalls and a fireworks display.
Admission to both events is free of charge. For further details visit www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk
GLASGOW
Rock into 2010 at Glasgow’s Hogmanay as Deacon Blue perform a spectacular greatest hits set, supported by rising stars Tommy Reilly, ceilidh band Bahookie and The Black Hand Gang, winners of a Road to Hogmanay contest.
The celebrations take place in George Square from 8.30pm and it’s a ticket-only event. Tickets are priced at £15 plus booking fee. Further details from www.winterfestglasgow. com/glasgows_hogmanay or by calling 0141 302 2845.
COMRIE
The Comrie Flambeaux is an ancient torchlight procession, performed originally to drive evil spirits from the pretty Perthshire village of Comrie.
As midnight is announced by the bells of Big Ben, the flambeaux are lit. The torches, consisting of long, thick birch poles with tarred rags bound tightly to the tops, are paraded around the village led by the pipe band and followed by a fancy dress parade.
Once the procession returns to Melville Square, prizes are presented and the torches are cast over the Dalginross Bridge into the waters of the River Earn. This is supposed to signify the casting out of evil spirits.
Visitors gather from 11.30pm and the procession is followed by a ceilidh in the centre of the village.
For further details call 01764 652578 or visit the website www.comrie.org.uk
DRUMNADROCHIT
The five-day Loch Ness Hogmanay Festival climaxes with a “Monster” street party on Hogmanay. Following a torchlight procession to the main event, the family-friendly party will get going with music from Scottish performers Gary Innes and The Darien Project.
The street party takes place from 10pm outside the Drumnadrochit Hotel and admission is free. For further details visit www.lochnesshogmanay.co.uk
NETHYBRIDGE
Hogmanay is celebrated with a procession and firework display. Visitors can meet at Lynstock Crescent at 7pm where they’ll find torches and glow bands on sale.
At 7.30pm there’s a torchlight procession to the community centre where you’ll find hot food, mulled wine and live music. Fireworks take place on the village playing field at 9pm.
Entry is £3 per person, £10 per family. Everyone welcome. All proceeds to Abernethy primary school to raise funds for essential equipment and activities.
Further details from pennylawson@googlemail.com
DORNOCH
Dornoch’s street party takes place between 10.30pm and 1am in the Sutherland town’s square.
The historic setting, including cathedral, castle and courthouse, will be all lit up to create a spectacular backdrop for the celebrations.
Entertainment includes a pipe band, food and drink stalls, ceilidh band and fireworks.
For further details visit www.visitdornoch.com
This is just a taster of Hogmanay events taking place across Scotland. For other ideas visit www.visitscotland.com/ whitehogmanay
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