Giant party welcomes in 2016 with style – and in peace
FAMED the world over, Scotland’s biggest Hogmanay celebration this year drew 75,000 on to the streets of Edinburgh.
But despite the huge number of revellers from around 80 countries – and the inevitable high alcohol intake – Police Scotland has confirmed that not a single arrest was made.
As Scots throughout the country yesterday began clearing up after Hogmanay celebrations, many hardy souls took the plunge in traditional January 1 ‘loony dooks’.
The Scottish capital’s peaceful start to 2016 is an improvement on previous years, which saw four people arrested in 2013 and five in 2014 for minor disorders.
The difference between the crime figures in Edinburgh and London is noteworthy – 3,000 officers, including firearms specialists, were deployed in the UK capital for the celebrations. They made 48 arrests for offences including drug possession, carrying offensive or bladed weapons and assaults on officers.
There were also arrests made for public order offences and sexual assault, the Met said.
In Edinburgh, Scots band Biffy Clyro headlined the sold-out Concert in the Gardens, while tens of thousands of people lined the streets for the midnight fireworks display which lit up the sky over the castle.
British astronaut Tim Peake on the International Space Station beamed a message onto screens at the street party.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘I can confirm there were no arrests made in Edinburgh over Hogmanay.’
Paramedics had a busy night across Scotland, however, dealing with 2,149 calls made to the country’s Ambulance Control Centres between 7pm on Hogmanay and 7am yesterday.
The total volume of calls was 9.5 per cent lower than last year’s total of 2,376, however.
Across Scotland yesterday, dozens opted to make a ‘splash’ for charities as they washed off the festive season excesses.
A group of teachers dived into the icy North Sea to help raise money for a pupil battling a brain tumour.
The staff, from Dunnottar School in Stonehaven, Kincardineshire, were raising money for primary one pupil Sam Dorrance, who is undergoing treatment in Edinburgh.
One of the teachers, Caroline Gibson, described the dip with a nip as ‘refreshing’.
They were joined by more than 60 other individuals, who ran into the town’s harbour wearing fancy dress.
In Glenfinnan, Inverness-shire, 56 people took part in the traditional New Year’s swim in the cold waters of Loch Shiel, while more than 80 hardy souls braved icy Loch Ken at Crossmichael, Kirkcudbrightshire, for the annual dip.
Some of the swimmers at that event raised cash for people who fell foul of recent storms in the South-West.
One of them, Niomi Brough, said: ‘I’ve decided to raise money for flood victims across the region. I’m gathering as much sponsorship as I can.’
Nearly 1,000 people, many in fancy dress, took part in a mass ‘dook’ in the Firth of Forth, as hundreds more watched from dry land in South Queensferry.
Taking part in the event, which is part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, was Brooke Pye, a 25-year-old travel agent who is from Australia but now lives in London. She came to Scotland especially for New Year.
She said: ‘I’m obviously insane but it seemed like something amazing to do, it’s very unique. It was absolutely insane and so cold but I actually feel OK now.’
At Craufurdland Castle estate in Fenwick, Ayrshire, ‘the world’s muddiest race’, the so-called ‘Shrek’ challenge took place.
Other Hogmanay celebrations included a performance by Deacon Blue in Stonehaven, where the town also held its traditional fireballs ceremony.
Stirling drew crowds with a Carnival of Light and Sound event, while Inverness staged its Red Hot Highland Fling.
A firework display in Aberdeen drew around 3,000 people.
‘I’m obviously insane’