Inverness is going to be party central, but what else is happening across the country? Here’s a selection of some of the highlights:
GRANTOWN
The Highland town’s Hogmanay in the Square event starts at 11pm and includes music, dancing, fireworks, a bar and refreshments. Entry is by donation. Contact: 01479 873 488.
DORNOCH
For a small town, Dornoch punches above its weight in terms of putting on a swish Hogmanay party. Throughout the day of December 31, there will be a host of events taking place including a cathedral experience, where you can enjoy some calm before the chaos; a family ceilidh, ceilidh dancing and gala dinners. At 10.30pm, the town square is where the Hogmanay party takes place, featuring music from The Red Reel Ceilidh Band, while a lone pipe on the castle ramparts will welcome in 2017, with a fireworks display to follow. Contact: www.visitdornoch.com
BALLATER
Boogie in Ballater at the Victoria Hall in Station Square from 8pm. The 10-piece Totico will take to the stage to help you dance the night away after indulging in the stovies, oatcakes and trifle buffet. The event is BYOB and tickets are £15 from Yules or call 013397 55745, with under 15s £5.
STONEHAVEN
Turn up early if you want to see the spectacle that is the annual Stonehaven Fireballs. They start at the stroke of midnight when a parade of strong men and women swing huge fireballs above their heads before heading towards the harbour where the fireballs are thrown into the sea. Crowds gather in the High Street from around 10.30pm onwards. Admission is free but donations are welcome to help stage the event.
OBAN
Oban and Lorn’s pubs, bars and hotels will offer a range of music and entertainment over Hogmanay, ranging from traditional music to lively rock. Most town centre pubs will have a late licence to 3am but you’ll only get into some of them if you’re there before midnight, at which time you’ll hear the local ferries and boats in the harbour sounding their fog horns to welcome in 2017 with a blast.
Plenty of rural pubs and hotels are staging Hogmanay parties including The Barn Bar at Cologin which also has its own quirky Hogmanay traditions. Another popular venue is The Skipinnish Ceilidh House on Oban’s George Street, where people can take in the New Year with the Skipinnish lads in their own music venue.
STRATHPEFFER
Take in the bells and welcome the New Year with friends and family at the Pavilion’s Hogmanay ceilidh, an event suitable for all ages and featuring local performers The Cat’s Back Ceilidh Band. Contact: 01997 420124.
BOAT OF GARTEN
There’s a Hogmanay ceilidh in the community hall, with music from Eabhal. Doors open at 7.30pm. Contact: 01479 831123.
STORNOWAY
An Lanntair in Stornoway will host a special Hogmanay show, one which showcases an ever-increasing line-up of local talent from across every musical genre, with the theme of gathering together to celebrate Hogmanay at its heart. Traditionally, New Year is a time for people to return to the islands and be with family, and this event provides the ideal opportunity to bring in the New Year together as a community.
On this occasion, musical director Willie Campbell will be joined on stage by members of his own band – The Open Day Rotation – a brass and string section, and an eclectic cast of talented Island singers. These include Fiona Mackenzie, Iain Spanish Mackay and Eleanor Nicolson, with others to be announced nearer the time. Contact: www.lanntair.com
THURSO
Head for Princes Street in Thurso and join in the Hogmanay street party which starts at 10pm. There’s music from local band Big Sky and a piper, as well as a countdown to 2017. Entry is by donation.
DUFFTOWN
With a ceilidh in the town’s Commercial Hotel and a party in the Royal British Legion, there’s plenty of time to work up a thirst before the bells in Dufftown.
At midnight, everyone heads to the Square where free drams, courtesy of Glenfiddich, and shortbread from Walkers, is handed out.
On New Year’s Day, members of the Dufftown Juvenile Society will hold the annual Boys Walk. Led by a pipe band, participants march around the town stopping at various refreshments.
EDINBURGH
A torchlight procession will pass through Edinburgh’s Old Town on December 30, before the famous Hogmanay street party kicks-off with up to 60,000 people taking in the spectacular fireworks display on December 31. Scottish superstar Paulo Nutini will headline at the Concert in the Gardens on Hogmanay, which is already sold out, so revellers might want to get tickets for the street party which has four stages.
The Waverley Stage will be headlined by The Charlatans with support from Fatherson and Be Charlotte. The Celtic inspired Castle Stage will feature lively performances from leading Scottish Celtic crossover bands Salsa Celtica, Mànran and Ross Ainslie & Ali Hutton.
The Mound Stage, programmed in collaboration with the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival, will feature James Brown is Annie, Brass Gumbo and Blues ‘N’ Trouble, while the Frederick Stage features a variety of DJs and VJs. The Old Town Ceilidh with Belhaven on the High Street will have two live open-air stages featuring the best in traditional Scottish music.
In addition, those in Edinburgh will be treated to four fireworks displays on the hour from 9pm set against the backdrop of the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Contact: www.edinburghshogmanay.com
MUSSELBURGH
The Brunton, Musselburgh, will host a day packed with family-friendly activities to celebrate Hogmanay. Ticketed activities and events run from 11am until 5.30pm, with an early evening free lantern parade and spectacular free fireworks display at Fisherrow Links.
ELLON
The Gig at the Brig is more than just a New Year’s party, it is a fantastic celebration. Abbamania, Emerald Sunday and Gleadhraich will be there to help bring in the bells from 8pm until 1am on Market Street in Ellon. A hog roast and food van will fuel the dancers and the event is licensed for those who like a tipple. Children are £10, under 5s are free with a full-paying adult and adult tickets are £22.50. See www.gigatthebrig.com/tickets/
STIRLING
To celebrate Hogmanay and the New Year, Stirling will host a family-friendly light and sound parade enhanced by live music and carnival performers. It starts at 6.30pm on December 31, while a spectacular fireworks display will be seen above the city’s skyline at midnight.
PORTSOY
On the stroke of midnight fireworks will erupt from the Links, near Portsoy Links Caravan Park. The event is free to attend and there will be light music, with the Institute Hall being open from 11.30pm until 1am.
COMRIE
Dating back to mediaeval times, the Comrie Flambeaux is a traditional and mystical event. The ancient fire festival sees long birch poles, with tarred rags tied around the end, paraded through the streets of the town at midnight. When the procession returns to Melville Square, the torches are thrown into the River Earn to cast out the evil spirits. A children’s fancy dress parade begins at 6.30pm before fireworks and the Flambeaux parade.
