Wherever you go you will find people celebrating New Year’s Eve, but nowhere will you find celebrations like the Scottish ones. They even have a name for it: Hogmanay. Many traditions in its name in the most famous and less known places in Great Britain. Here are some:
Hogmanay in Edinburgh
Edinburgh, known for not having a quiet character, will host a 4-day marathon of celebrations (www.edinburghshogmanay.org/) from the end of December to early January with numerous events throughout the city. One of the most famous and ‘dazzling’ events is the Torchlight Procession that marks the start of the celebrations.
Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh
The Edinburgh Torchlight Procession derives from an ancient pagan rite of Hogmanay. It begins on the Royal Mile where you can join thousands of participants with a torch in hand, creating a spectacular river of fire throughout the city. The Vikings will escort you to The Mound, along Princes Street and up Calton Hill, where you will watch spectacular fireworks and performances by musicians and comedians.
Stonehaven Fire Festival
Some of these customs continue even today, especially in the small communities of the Highlands and the islands where ancient traditions, as well as dialects, are still alive. Visit Stonehaven, south of Aberdeen, for one of the most spectacular fire ceremonies (Fire Balls). Watch about sixty people going back and forth along High Street waving large and heavy fire balls.
Hogmanay Traditions in Scottish Villages
The inhabitants of the ancient Scottish villages used to dress in cattle skins and run around the village being struck with sticks. Celebrations include bonfires, barrel racing down hills, and torch throwing. People prepare torches by wrapping animal skins around sticks and lighting them. The smoke produced by these torches is considered useful to keep evil spirits away.
Hogmanay in Inverness
The capital of the Highlands, Inverness, holds the record for the largest free event to celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland. The Red Hot Highland Fling takes place along the banks of the River Ness at Northern Meeting Park and is family-friendly; in addition to music and fireworks, there are other shows to entertain the audience. The best show always takes place before 10:00 PM, so families can return home in time before the classic midnight chime. This year the show will be hosted by Scottish comedian Craig Hill and will feature performances by The Elephant Sessions, Scooty, and The Skyhooks, as well as the multi-award-winning rock band Skerryvore.
The Biggar Bonfire
In the last weeks of the year, you will see a huge pile of wood gradually rising in the town center of Biggar, in preparation for the typical New Year’s celebrations of this South Lanarkshire town. The Bonfire is lit at 9:30 PM on New Year’s Eve to welcome the new year in the town with a warm glow.
