Tips for a smooth Hogmanay
It seems odd to be writing about New Year’s Eve in the beginning of June. However, the Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival is something that needs to be planned far in advance. Last year, I started making my hotel reservations in March — and already many of those in central Edinburgh were filling up fast.
With more than 100,000 festival-goers celebrating the new year, it is easy to understand why. Here are my tips on attending my favorite New Year’s Eve party in the world, literally.
The Edinburgh Hogmanay Festival is a fantastic experience, based on old Celtic traditions and, of course, a good party. Last year, I spanned centuries of Scottish history in three days as I participated in the Torchlight Procession, the Ceilidh and the
Attendees dance the Ceilidh during the 2014⁄15 Edinburgh Hogmanay street party.
street party.
The three-day festival begins on Dec. 30 with the Torchlight Procession, which leads thousands of locals and tourists over the Royal Mile, along the Mound, and down Princes Street to Calton Hill where over a dozen Viking-costumed men set a bonfire alight. It is both frightening and breathtaking to watch the procession commence.
As a participant, you cannot help but be awed as you head down the hilly roadway toward the Mound and see the thousands of torches before you. It is also terrifying to see the people around you holding burning torches so close. For me though, that scene on the Mound is something that I will never forget, and completely worth the momentary fear.
Following the procession, on Dec. 31, is the Hogmanay Street Party. Last year I was one of 35,000 people who danced the night away in one of the staged areas. I decided to do the Ceilidh all night, but stages throughout Princes Street welcomed up-andcoming performers and well-known artists alike, including Lily Allen.
As midnight struck, party-goers were treated to two fireworks displays — one at Edinburgh Castle and another at Calton Hill. For me, these were only outdone by the annual midnight song of “Auld Lang Syne” conducted by all attendees and the many performers.
In order to attend this fun night, I suggest booking early. As I said earlier, the number of people turning out for this event causes hotels and B&Bs to sell out early. Even those that do not sell out though, increase their prices substantially. My hotel for the night of New Year’s Eve was more than $200, where the other days were barely $70. That wasn’t even a high priced or lavish stay.
When selecting a place to stay, look for something near Princes Street. This is the street that the party on New Year’s Eve is hosted, meaning that the cold walk back will be quick. There is a special Hogmanay night bus, but with 100,000 partying that evening I would not want to wait for it. You could be there a long time.
For those uncertain about walking an unfamiliar city, Edinburgh is a very navigable city on foot. While hilly, a healthy individual could easily move about by walking.
With at least 100,000 people looking to participate in the street party, staying on top of reservations and tickets is important. You need to be prepared to plan ahead.
The street festival tickets sell out most years, so make sure to purchase tickets when they go on sale in the fall. This is the same time the stage areas go on sale as well, so you will need to make a decision on whether to purchase a street party ticket or a performance ticket. The performance tickets also allow you into the street festival.
Additionally, in the weeks leading up to Hogmanay I recommend making restaurant reservations — even if it is just dinner at
Attendees dance the Ceilidh during the 2014⁄15 Edinburgh Hogmanay street party.
a pub. I made the mistake of not planning meals, so I struggled to find a decent restaurant or pub to eat at, especially on New Year’s Eve. So prepare ahead of time and contact the eatery through an online reservation form or email.
Sometimes it’s hard to just sit back and relax once you are there. When participating in Hogmanay, you could easily get overwhelmed by the number of people, where to see the fireworks best, and even where will be available for dinner. But you will miss a lot if you are always worrying about the little things.
Hogmanay has so much fun to offer, from the music to the Christmas market. So take a ride on the Ferris wheel. Skate around the outdoor ice rink. Join in a reel at the Ceilidh stage. Admire the fireworks at the Christmas market. There are many ways to enjoy the hours leading up to midnight at Hogmanay.