Stormy start to 2015 will mean a soggy Hogmanay

TORRENTIAL downpours and high winds threaten to put a serious damper on Hogmanay festivities, say forecasters.

Met Office experts have warned first-footers to expect a soggy and blustery time in many parts of the country.

Partygoers in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Ayrshire and the Western Isles are likely to face stormy conditions as they greet the start of 2015.

However, the East coast faces only a slight risk of showers tonight and the Met Office predicts the crowds at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party won’t face a soaking.

As final preparations continued in the capital yesterday, Met Office spokesman Dan Williams said Scotland will experience an East-West weather split over the New Year.

However, temperatures will be considerably milder than of late, with most of the country seeing unusually high temperatures of 10c (50f). Mr Williams added: ‘In the West of Scotland there are going to be a lot of downpours, many of them torrential, possibly for long periods.

‘At the same time there is a strong possibility of strong winds, especially down the west coast and in and around the Western Isles.’

The forecaster warned the heavy rain is likely to persist in the West throughout most of Hogmanay and much of New Year’s Day.

But the outlook is not as gloomy i n Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness. Mr Williams said: ‘There is a slight chance of rain in Edinburgh but any showers will come after midnight.’

The East of Scotland can also expect dry spells throughout New Year’s Day. Mr Williams said: ‘ We are likely to see a high of around 10c over the next day or two.’

Celebrations kicked off in Edinburgh last night when more than 8,000 revellers took part in the torchlight procession. Watched by around 30,000 spectators, it was led by 26 Up Helly Aa Vikings from Shetland together with 100 pipers, drummers and fire performers.

However, the main Edinburgh bash begins tonight, when 75,000 revellers attend the Hogmanay Street Party headlined by Lily Allen with Soul II Soul and tribute act Bjorn Again. The highlight is expected to be f our f i rework displays beginning at 9pm, 10pm, 11pm and a spectacular finale from Edinburgh Castle.

Midnight firework displays will take place in Aberdeen and Stirling, while Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, will host its traditional Fireballs ceremony with headline act 1980s pop legends The Human League. There will be no organised celebrations in Glasgow.