Edinburgh's Hogmanay stay-at-home celebrations begin

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay stay-at-home celebrations have begun.

The much-loved event has moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic.

A Torchlight Moment dedicated to NHS staff and key workers kicked off the countdown to 2021.

The multi-coloured pyro show on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle was a standalone tribute to all those working “tirelessly and selflessly” on the frontline.

Torchlight Moment: The pyro show was dedicated to NHS staff and key workers. Website

The New Year festivities will now continue with Fare Well, a three-part film which will be shown online over the next three nights with the finale on December 31.

Fare Well brings together the words of Scots Makar Jackie Kay, the music of NiteWorks from the Isle of Skye, the voices of acclaimed Scottish talent including David Tennant, and the pioneering drone technology and filming of Celestial to create the UK’s largest swarm drone display.

Fare Well: The three-part film will be shown over three nights. Website

Taking inspiration from Scotland’s land and air, viewers will embark on a breathtaking visual journey from the Highlands all the way to the capital city.

With the help of 150 individual drones, Fare Well will reflect on world events this year, before looking to the turn of the year and hopes for 2021.

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24 HOURS TO GO

29 December at 7pm
Part 1 of Fare Well Edinburgh's Hogmanay stay-at-home event series
FREE to watch on our website and social media channelshttps://t.co/8vbhFXRqHE #FareWell #EdinburghsHogmanay pic.twitter.com/VbKw38ynDv
— Edinburgh's Hogmanay (@edhogmanay) December 28, 2020

Culture secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland is the world-renowned home of Hogmanay and every year thousands of people, right across the globe, look forward to the spectacular of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay to welcome in the New Year.

“Although we’re not able to come together physically to bring in the bells this year, we can enjoy a fully digital programme that continues the tradition of celebrating Hogmanay with poetry, music and performance.

“I encourage everyone to take part in this year’s series of virtual events and celebrate Hogmanay safely at home.”

Part one of Fare Well will begin at 7pm on Tuesday.

For more information, click here.