Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a party of ancient proportions
What begun as an ancient pagan tradition that involved visiting neighbours with gifts for luck and good health for the winter solstice, was actually more celebrated in Scotland than Christmas until as late as the 1970s, though today's Hogmanay takes place during the week leading up to and during New Year's Day.
Today, the party is legendary and celebrations last several days with traditional and new age events that bring in the new year with a bang, fireworks and general revelry.
A torchlit procession earlier in the week leads to Capital Hill marks a symbolic burning of an icon that is inspired by Hogmanay's early days.
Concerts that showcase famous and home-grown performers are common at the week's Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, as well as street performers, and "the Night 'Afore arts extravaganza."
On the night of Hogmanay, there is enough to do to satisfy all tastes for celebrating, where dances, orchestras, street festivals and fireworks all co-exist in a glorious send off to the old year.
Tickets are available as early as October for the December celebration for what is known as one of the biggest New Year's Eve parties in the world at the Royal Bank Street Party.
Christmas events tie into the Edinburgh Hogmanay and are no longer upstaged by the pagan celebration, but Christmas is still slightly quieter with a family focus than Hogmanay's neighbourly antics and really provides a gentle and effective warm-up to the main party of unknown debauches.
On New Years Day, or Ne'erday, the city becomes active where people and pets race and compete in a healthy start to the new year.
Filed under: Edinburgh, Hogmanay, New Year, Princes Street
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26.09.2006.