Ways aplenty to see in 2020
Heather Greenaway on the best of the celebrations for the New Year
WITH Hogmanay on the horizon, the party season is far from over and there’s fun for the whole family.
From Edinburgh’s torchlight procession and the Stonehaven fireballs to the Biggar Bonfire and the Loony Dook, there is a wealth of tradition and celebration to be explored as we say goodbye to 2019.
Here, we take a look at some of the best ways to welcome 2020 in Scotland.
Torchlight Procession, Royal Mile, Edinburgh
More than 8000 torchbearers create a “river of fire” down the Royal Mile. Starting from three points in Edinburgh’s Old Town – North Bridge, South Bridge, as well as outside St Giles Cathedral – it streams down to Holyrood Park, where bands will play. It will be led by the Up Helly Aa’s Vikings, pipes and drums and makes for a flaming good night out for all the family. Date: December 30 Time: 7pm -9pm Go to www.edinburghguide.com
The Loony Dook, South Queensferry
Watch the colourful Dookers Parade through the High Street before boggling as hundreds of brave and crazy folk in silly costumes take the plunge for charity in the freezing Forth. Unlike other parts of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, the Loony Dook is a modern invention. It began on January 1, 1987, as a joke between two local friends daring each other to take on a bold hangover cure and has escalated into a huge event which sells out every year. Date: Wednesday, January 1 Time: 2.15pm For more info, go to www. edinburghlive.co.uk
Stonehaven Fireballs, Old Pier Stonehaven, Kincardineshire
One of many winter fire festivals unique to Scotland, this parade is a powerful spectacle to behold. It’s a free Hogmanay event which has been celebrated for more than 100 years and it always attracts 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.
Watch in awe as the piper leads the procession marching down the street just before midnight as they swing balls of fire above their head. Date: December 31 Time: Entertainment starts at 11pm, fireballs ceremony starts at midnight. For more info, go to www.stonehaven fireballs.co.uk
The Biggar Bonfire, High Street at the Corn Exchange
At the start of the night, the festivities begin with a torchlight parade with pipers and drummers. Then the much anticipated bonfire begins, a tradition which goes back many generations and even continued throughout WWII when a candle in a tin replaced the bonfire as blackouts were in place. Live music and a carnival atmosphere make it perfect for the younger kids who might not be able to stay awake until the bells. Date: December 31 Time: 9.30pm For more info, go to www. biggarbonfire.org. uk
Comrie Flambeaux, Comrie town centre
New Year’s Eve festivities begin in the early evening with a children’s fancy dress parade followed by fireworks. The flambeaux party sets off, near midnight, from a dike near
Comrie’s old churchyard with eight birch tree torches and heads for Melville Square. Then, as Big Ben in London chimes the strokes of midnight, the flambeaux are lit. Led by a band of pipers and followed by a costume parade, they’re carried about the town by strong young men. Some say this is to cleanse Comrie of evil spirits. What’s left of the torches is then carried to the Dalginross Bridge and thrown into the River Earn, taking a whole year’s worth of evil spirits with them. Date: Tuesday, December 31 Time: Fancy dress parade at 6.30pm; Fireworks 7.30pm, Torches lit just before midnight For more info, go to www.comrie. org.uk