Welcome to 2016
FIREWORKS lit up the night sky over Edinburgh Castle as the capital brought in 2016.
Thousands of party-goers took part in Scotland’s world-famous Hogmanay celebrations, with rockers Biffy Clyro headlining a sell-out concert in Princes Street Gardens.
Before the traditional midnight fireworks – which this year were purple – from Edinburgh Castle, 75,000 people from 80 countries gathered at the official party at Princes Street.
One Australian party-goer Phil Carabot, from Melbourne, said: “It is the first time I have been away for 43 years and it reminds me a lot of home. I feel very comfortable – so it is great.”
But there was a major security alert in Munich, as train stations were shut following a credible terrorism threat. Picture: Gordon Terris
EDINBURGH has led the capital’s traditional Hogmanay celebrations as its firework display lit up the sky over the capital as the clock struck midnight to mark the start of 2016.
Around 75,000 revellers from more than 80 countries hugged, kissed and exchanged greetings as they celebrated the start of the new year in Princes Street.
They were then treated to the traditional spectacular display that lit up Edinburgh Castle and could be seen for miles around on the clear night.
The event went with a musical bang too as Scottish rock group Biffy Clyro headlined the sell-out concert in Princes Street Gardens.
In other towns and cities across the country revellers saw out 2015 in various ways, whether attending public events or at private parties or in their homes.
The capital’s celebrations had been in full flight all night, with revellers enjoying the annual “Keilidh” on the Royal Mile, involving traditional Scottish dancing.
On Thursday a torchlight procession with 10,000 torchbearers travelled from George IV Bridge to Calton Hill for the fireworks finale.
This year’s street party also featured a new year message from British astronaut Tim Peake, which was relayed from the International Space Station to the waiting crowds after midnight.
Pete Irvine, director of Unique Events which produces Edinburgh’s Hogmanay on behalf of the city council, said: “This is a truly global event with revellers joining us from around the world. This year we’ve gone one better and will be visited from space.’’
Enjoying the celebrations, Fabien Charles, from Strasbourg in France, said: “It’s my first time in Edinburgh and it’s wonderful. I feel the atmosphere and it is very good. I definitely will be coming back.”
Elsewhere, a firework display lit up the skies above Aberdeen where around 3,000 people joined in the celebrations in the city centre.
Other major events in the north-east included Stonehaven’s Open Air in the Square, the Aberdeenshire town’s fireballs ceremony and the Gig at the Brig in Ellon.
Security was stepped up at many events in the wake of heightened fears in the wake of the Paris terror attacks.
Every available officer at the Metropolitan Police’s disposal was on duty in London, including hundreds of specially trained firearms personnel.
Scotland Yard said there were around 3,000 officers across central London as mayor Boris Johnson’s fireworks display with Unicef brought in 2016.
The Met said Hogmanay was one of two events – along with the Notting Hill Carnival – in which there was no holiday entitlement, meaning all available staff were called upon.
The London event took place after the New Year’s Eve fireworks display in Brussels was cancelled because of threats of an extremist attack.
Brussels mayor Yvan Mayeur said the decision was taken on Wednesday evening after consultation with government officials.
Brussels was home to four of the radical Islamic attackers who killed 130 people in Paris on November 13.
In Australia, the Sydney Opera House and bridge were lit up as the country got 2016 off to a colourful start before the new year swept through the Middle East and Russia.
Dubai’s fireworks display went ahead despite fire breaking out in a nearby building close to the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest skyscraper. The authorities said there were only minor injuries and one person suffered a heart attack.