New Year’s Dry for Hogmanay revellers

HOGMANAY revellers will have ideal conditions tonight as they welcome in the New Year.

Scotland is set for more favourable weather than England with clear skies expected across much of the country.

An estimated 100,000 people will celebrate in Edinburgh during the annual street party, culminating in a fireworks display from the castle at midnight.

The event will also see performances by acts including Mark Ronson, Marc Almond and Idlewild.

Meanwhile, Glasgow will stage a variety of events, including a redhot Salsa party at Merchant City night spot Boteco do Brasil.

Those staying at home will see the biggest change to Hogmanay TV schedules for 20 years, with Jackie Bird being replaced by comedian Susan Calman for the Hogmanay 2019 show on BBC One Scotland and the Corporation’s new Scotland channel.

STV have chosen Craufurdland Castle in Kilmarnock for their ‘Sean’s Very Scottish Hogmanay’ starring weatherman Sean Batty and Jennifer Reoch.

Grahame Madge, of the Met Office, said: ‘There is no sign of wind or rain for Scotland so it should be a great night. The period around midnight remains clear in the North and East. There will be more cloud in the West and in Dumfries and Galloway.’

The mercury should be hovering around freezing in Glasgow and Edinburgh at midnight, although cloud cover could keep things slightly milder in the West.

Aberdeen could plunge as low as -2C or -3C (26-28F), Aviemore will be freezing and Inverness 2C (35F).

Mr Madge added: ‘People should wrap up warm and be prepared for frost and fog, which is always a risk at this time of year.’

Edinburgh Airport expected 100,000 travellers to pass through in the lead up the festivities, while Glasgow Airport expects some 14,000 passengers to pass through the terminal today, with another 20,000 tomorrow.

Rail services will run as normal today until 8pm, when things begin to wind down. There are no trains tomorrow.

The organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay had been criticised for creating ‘unnecessary confusion’ over access for those living within the area of the street party arena, who require passes to get in and out of their homes. This year’s guidance appeared to indicate additional passes for guests would be at the discretion of organisers.

Edinburgh City Council leader Adam McVey said it was ‘unacceptable’ that this year’s advice from organisers Underbelly ‘didn’t accurately reflect’ the need to prioritise residents’ rights and access to their houses.

Following a backlash, the Underbelly website now reads ‘if you are planning a private function within your home or you have a household larger than six, additional access passes are available’.

A spokesman said: ‘We have never and would never prevent residents and their guests from accessing their homes.