Hogmanay: What celebrations are taking place across Scotland this new year?

Large-scale Hogmanay celebrations are back in Scotland for the first time in three years.

STV News wraps up the best of what’s happening across the country as Scotland prepares to bring in the New Year.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s world-famous street party is back, with 30,000 people from across the globe set to descend on Princes Street.

Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, revellers will become part of the show for the first time ever, becoming connected to the music. Everyone attending will receive their own LED wristband upon entry for the fireworks and light extravaganza.

Meanwhile, the Pet Shop Boys will headline the Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens. The duo recently returned from North America, where they played a sold-out co-headline tour with New Order, at venues including Madison Square Garden in New York and two nights at the Hollywood Bowl in LA.

On Friday night, Sophie Ellis-Bexter will headline the The Night Afore the Disco Party at West Princes Street Gardens.

However, the “Loony Dook” at South Queensferry has been dropped from the festival’s three-day programme and replaced with free city centre activities.

A community-organised “Portobello Dook” will take place for those still looking for a cold swim to kick-off the new year.

Meanwhile, the torchlight procession that traditionally kicks off Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh was cancelled over increasing costs.

Glasgow

Christmas lights in George Square. STV News

One of the biggest New Year’s events in Glasgow takes place in the west end of the city with the Ashton Lane Street Party.

Food and drink will be available from indoor and outdoor bars, food stalls and BBQs. Last entry is 10pm and tickets are £32.50.

There is also a Hogmanay party at Merchant Square, with live performances from the French Fling Showgirls, Scott & The Fox and The Riffreshers, as well as a balloon drop at midnight.

Tickets are priced at £30 per person and are available from the Merchant Square website.

Stirling

Wallace Monument fireworks bringing in 2021. Website

Fireworks will light up the night sky above the National Wallace Monument in Stirling.

The city’s festive programme of events also include live music at the Albert Halls and a ceilidh at the Tolbooth.

Inverness

Scotland’s biggest free Hogmanay celebration can be found in the capital of the Highlands.

The Red Hot Highland Fling hosted by stand-up comedian Fred MacAulay will be held on the banks of the River Ness in Northern Meeting Park.

Aberdeen

A Hogmanay ceilidh will take place at the Beach Ballroom, with music from Hipflask Ceilidh Band.

Tickets are £45 plus booking fee and are available from the Little Box Office.

Dufftown

Celebrations in Dufftown start in the early evening with a ceilidh in the Commercial Hotel and a party in the Royal British Legion.

After the ceilish, the community gathers in The Square where drams of whisky and pieces of shortbread are shared out to see in the bells, courtesy of the local Glenfiddich distillery and Walkers biscuit factory.

Stonehaven

One of the most unique Hogmanay celebrations takes place in the Aberdeenshire town of Stonehaven, which sees approximately 40 men and women parading up and down the High Street swinging fireballs around their heads.

The event has been celebrated for more than 100 years and always draws a large crowd. Traditionally, it was a cleansing ritual to burn off any bad spirits left from the old year so that the New Year can begin clean and purified.

A piper leads the procession marching down the street just before midnight.

Biggar

An enormous pile of wood gradually starts to stack up in Biggar town centre in the final weeks of the year in preparation for the South Lanarkshire town’s own New Year celebration.

The bonfire is lit at 9.30pm on New Year’s Eve, as locals welcome in the New Year in a warm, fiery glow.