Hogmanay crowds see in new year

Preparations for open air Hogmanay celebrations are well under way in cities across Scotland.

In Edinburgh 80,000 are expected to gather for the party on Princes Street to see in the New Year.

Glasgow is hosting a ceilidh in George Square, open only to ticket holders, followed by a fireworks display.

Inverness is preparing for a huge free party at the Northern Meeting Park Arena, with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Peatbog Fairies and Blazin Fiddles.

Aberdeen city council has organised a free fireworks display from the roof of His Majesty’s Theatre at midnight.

Hundreds of people are also expected to attend Stonehaven’s annual fireballs ceremony.

Stirling Castle’s event, which features singers including Wagner Carrilho from the X Factor, ends with the city’s “biggest ever” hogmanay fireworks display at midnight.

A piper will play at the Midsteeple in Dumfries from 2345 to 0015 GMT and revellers are expected to gather for the bells at midnight.

The events are a draw to tourists from around the world and a boost to the Scottish economy.

According to the Scottish government, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay alone generated an estimated £29m in 2009.

More than 25,000 people took part in a torchlight procession in Edinburgh on Thursday evening to kick off the city’s New Year festival in the capital.

The event, which started at Parliament Square, marked the beginning of a four-day celebration.

Organisers said the numbers of people attending Thursday night’s event had been “record-breaking”.

The city’s main Hogmanay ticket events, including an open air concert starring Biffy Clyro, begin at 2100 GMT.

Edinburgh’s emergency services and the city council have issued a number of guidelines warning revellers to stay safe, be sensible and keep warm and dry during the celebrations.

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