Edinburgh ready to ring in the bells with four-day Hogmanay festival

Edinburgh is preparing to host a massive celebration as the city’s Hogmanay festival returns to the streets of the capital.

The four-day spectacular kicks off on Monday with a torchlight procession featuring vikings, drummers, and pipers and will continue throughout the run-up to the New Year, including its world-famous street party.

The festival is marking its return following the “disappointment” of last year, when severe weather forced the late cancellation of its outdoor events.

About 2.5 million visitors have already been welcomed to the city for the winter festivals, which began in November, according to organisers Unique Assembly events, and Edinburgh Airport expects more than 60,000 travellers to fly into the capital in the two days leading up to Hogmanay.

Rock band Wet Leg is headlining the Concert in the Gardens in West Princes Street Garden on December 31, followed by fireworks at midnight.

On New Year’s Day, the city centre, as well as Leith and Portobello, will host a First Footin’ programme of events, featuring Garbage singer Shirley Manson and former first minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Penny Dougherty, director of Unique Assembly events, said the torchlight procession “signals the start of New Year celebrations around the world”, and that broadcaster CNN would be broadcasting live from the capital’s celebrations for the full four days.

She said: “The weather this evening is due to be cold, crisp, clear and calm – perfect.

“That said, it is Scotland. It’s winter. It’s cold. The majority of our events are outdoors. We ask everyone to dress appropriately, dress up warm.”

Ms Dougherty added: “There are hundreds of people who are working tirelessly to make sure the city looks and feels its best after last year’s disappointment.

“Everyone is welcome in Edinburgh and remember, no Scotland, no party.”

City of Edinburgh Council leader, Jane Meagher, said that ensuring many events were free to attend helped to make it accessible to residents and to be “integrated” into the city.

Ms Meagher said: “It remains the place to ring in the bells and this year is no exception. We’re immensely proud that so many people choose to share their New Year with us and enjoy everything that this city has to offer.

“Is it iconic or is it classic? To me, it’s both.”

Edinburgh's outdoor Hogmanay celebrations were cancelled due to severe weather last year — Edinburgh’s outdoor Hogmanay celebrations were cancelled due to severe weather last year iStock

She added: “We have four full days of events, with many of the festivities free to attend, and that is so important because this is a kind of celebration that we don’t want to see imposed on the city, but integrated and very much a part of the life of the city.

“And that’s why we want everybody, residents and visitors alike, to feel fully involved in our Hogmanay event.”

Meanwhile, Police Scotland has announced a temporary airspace restriction covering the city centre as part of the security operation for the events.

Drones have been banned from flying over Edinburgh Castle and the surrounding area, with the no-fly zone in effect from 5pm on Monday until 1am on Tuesday.

Officers confirmed it is an offence for any unmanned aircraft to fly below 2,000ft above sea level within one nautical mile of Edinburgh Castle.

Chief Superintendent David Robertson, of Police Scotland, said: “Our role is to support the event organiser to deliver a safe and secure event and we’re very proud to be doing that. In truth, we can’t do it alone.”

He asked those attending to “think about your own safety, to plan your journey, to think about how you get in and out of the event, and to act on any suspicions you might have, if you see someone that’s vulnerable, if you see someone acting suspiciously”, to alert police or stewards.

Mr Robertson added: “We wish everyone a safe and enjoyable New Year when it comes.”