YeAABA aiming for biggest New Year’s Day Dook

THIS year’s New Year’s Day Dook in Broughty Ferry will be the biggest ever, say organisers, as the annual event celebrates its 126th birthday.

Adrenaline junkies are expected to turn out in their hundreds to make a splash and there’s lots planned for the run-up to the big dip to make the event extra special.

Ye Amphibious Ancients Bathing Association (YeAABA) president Joyce McIntosh said: “There’s no football on and the tide this year is very favourable, so we decided to do a bit more than usual. This is our biggest event yet.”

The fun gets under way from 11am with music, a carnival, Highland dancers and twirlers providing entertainment ahead of the dook itself at 3pm.

Participants as young as eight and as old as 78 will follow Joyce into the water for the fundraising dook, which is based on a tradition started by fisherfolk who bathed in the waters of the Tay on every morning except the Sabbath as long ago as 1891.

The dook has never been cancelled no matter the weather, even in 1989 when ice had to be smashed with pick axes to allow swimmers into the water.

It is the largest event of its kind in Scotland and raises valuable donations for charities as most dookers raise sponsorship money by taking part.

The dook has increased in size every year and now attracts more than 300 participants and 3,000 spectators.

Those taking part can compete in fancy dress contests for the best fairy, Santa and reindeer, along with the best-dressed Christmas cracker.

However, anyone wearing a mankini has been barred, with Joyce adding: “It is a family event and we don’t think mankinis are appropriate.”

Picture shows Joyce with fellowYeABBA member Steve James.