Last year, Lynda and Darren Cunningham welcomed in 2019 at the top of Bennachie, watching the fireworks on the horizon.
But it was a slightly less tranquil start to 2020, as Mrs Cunningham was preparing for an emergency c-section at Aberdeen Maternity Hospital.
The couple had been in hospital since Monday morning, 12 days before their due date on January 10.
Baby Isla James Cunningham was born at 5.31am, weighing in at 7lb 8oz.
Her middle name, James, was chosen to honour Mr Cunningham’s father, who died in 2018.
He said: “We came in on Monday for Lynda to be induced, which would have been my dad’s birthday.
“It didn’t matter if t was a boy or girl, knew we would get his name in there somewhere.
“Isla was due January 10 – so we were quite overwhelmed to have her so soon, but it certainly was a nice surprise.
Proud mum Mrs Cunningham, who works for the NHS in their practitioner service, added: “It is a really special way to welcome the year, we’re overwhelmed but really happy.”
The couple are originally from Peterhead, but relocated to Inverurie four years ago.
The pair will spend spend a further few days in hospital with Isla as she recovers from her early entry to the world.
Today they are eagerly awaiting visits from family, while also still trying to share their good news with loved ones who had been out celebrating the new year.
Offshore worker Mr Cunningham added: “Trying to get hold of people on new year was a nightmare. My mum Kathleen was the first person we told, and even that was on the second attempt.”
Isla was born just a few hours after another Inverurie couple, Darren Wood and Kayleigh Clark welcomed their daughter into the world.
Baby Emily was born at 12.13am, making her one of 2020’s first babies, weighing 7lbs 11.5oz.
Across the country midwives were kept busy as couples celebrated the New Year with their new arrivals.
At Raigmore Hospital, Inverness couple Alison and Allan Stewart welcomed the region’s first 2020 baby, a boy, into the world at 4.11am.
Baby Stewart – who has yet to be named – weighed a healthy 7lb 5.5oz.
A short time later another boy was born at 4.30am weighing 7lb 11oz.
Sophie Jansen van Rensburg and partner Warren, from Nairn, have named the little boy Carter.
The first baby of the year was born at the Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.
The little boy, weighing 8lbs 5oz, is the first child for mother Emma Allan and father Cameron Cunningham and was born at 12.03am.
The parents, from Port Seton in East Lothian, said they were “delighted” with the new arrival whose name has not yet been revealed.
