Revellers go Forth into 2018 with traditional Loony Dook dip
● Annual Loony Dook draws 1,100 ● Only four arrests at Edinburgh party
Around 1,100 people braved the icy waters of the Firth of Forth yesterday for the annual New Year’s Day Loony Dook. The event, originally conceived as an alternative hangover cure 31 years ago, has become a staple of New Year celebrations, helping to raise money for charity.
“The day started with a storm and ended with a bang. Without a doubt this was the best party ever.” CHARLIE WOOD AND ED BARTLAM
More than 1,000 hardy souls braved the icy waters of the Firth of Forth for the 31st New Year’s Day Loony Dook as the curtain was lowered on Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations.
The Dook was first held in 1987 after pub regulars at The Moorings Lounge bar in South Queensferry devised the bizarre event as a hangover cure. In recent years, the event has grown in popularity and helps to raise money for charity. Around 1,100 took part in yesterday’s dip, clad in all manner of costumes.
Thousands more people cheered from South Queensferry’s High Street and harbour. Hundreds also turned up at Portobello, Kinghorn and St Andrews for their annual Loony Dooks.
Participants at the South Queensferry Dook this year included a three-person Forth Bridge dubbed “The Fourth Bridge”, Wonder Woman, Still Game’s Jack and Victor and Baywatch babes.
Those who took part in the challenge were offered a warm bowl of porridge as an incentive.
The sell-out event started with a parade along the High Street before the hardy participants plunged into the water in the shadow of the Forth bridges.
Further north in St Andrews, more than 100 people bravely took to the waters at East Sands to shake off the excess from Hogmanay celebrations.
Locals and holiday makers carried out a “Braveheart charge” into the bracing North Sea. The event started in the Fife university town about ten years ago.
Meanwhile, police, organisers and council chiefs praised the estimated 75,000 revellers who crowded into Edinburgh city centre on Hogmanay to welcome in 2018.
Sunday night’s celebrations were hailed a huge success. Police said there were only four arrests for minor disorder.
Producers Underbelly confirmed the arena had been sold out, with early bird tickets for Edinburgh’s next Hogmanay street party already on sale yesterday.
The street party had been given a makeover for its 25th anniversary and featured parkour runners, flash mobs and aerial artists dancing on the sides of buildings in Princes Street as well as bands performing at three different stages. The event went ahead despite earlier fears over Storm Dylan, which brought high winds to the capital, but largely passed before festivities got under way.
Underbelly directors Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam said: “The day started with a storm and ended with a bang. Without a doubt this was the best party ever.
“Our nine minutes of fireworks, choreographed to Niteworks’ and Dan Jones’s score, was truly spectacular. And who will forget Rag’n’bone man leading 75,000 in Auld Lang Syne?”
Councillor Ian Campbell, vice-convener of the city council’s culture committee, said: “Yet again, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations have been the envy of cities across the globe.”
Edinburgh’s police commander Chief Superintendent Kenny Macdonald said: “Edinburgh has once again shown why it’s one of the greatest cities in the world, welcoming in the new year in tremendous fashion. I would like to thank all of my officers and staff and the stewards for their outstanding work.”