No torchlight procession for Hogmanay in capital

THE torchlight procession which normally kicks off Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations will not take place this year due to funding pressures, organisers have announced.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival is returning next month after the Covid pandemic resulted in the famous street party and other associated events being cancelled in both 2020 and 2021.

In previous years crowds gathered to watch a torchlight procession through the Old Town to mark the start of festivities, however, that will not happen this year.

Organisers said that due to the “current economic climate and the drop in available funding” they are unable to go ahead with the procession, though they hope it will return next year.

In a statement, organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay said: “We have been trying hard to find a way to bring the torchlight procession into Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations this year, however, we are very disappointed to confirm that due to the current economic climate, and the drop in available funding, we are unable to go ahead with this event in 2022.

“Our full programme of events, including activities for families and children, will be announced later this week.

“We very much hope to bring back the torchlight procession to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme in 2023.”

While there will be no torchlight procession, event producers Unique Assembly have announced that the world famous Hogmanay street party will take place again this year on December 31, while the Pet Shop Boys will headline Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens.