Everything begins with a huge torch lit procession through the streets of Edinburgh city centre, with thousands of people take part with many carrying torches of fire in a massive long snake through the streets. Anyone can join in with this, but to carry a torch you will need to buy a ticket as there are a limited number of torches available. The carrying of these torches has a very traditional meaning, as it is said that by carrying forward a flame you are burning away the old to create space for the new, and also you are bringing knowledge forward from one year to the next. This procession is just a modern take on the traditional event and has taken place since 1992.



Over the four days, many events take place from street theatre to street parties, concerts to plays. On New Years Eve the biggest street party takes place all across the city centre and to join in you will need to buy a street party pass. At midnight as well as the traditional singing of Auld Lang Syne, a huge firework display at midnight marks the beginning of the New Year, and then people carry on partying till the early hours.

Many customs are associated with Hogmanay some of them very old indeed, and although a lot of them are no longer observed, a few still carry on. One of these is First Footing. It is said that the first person of the year to pass over the threshold of a home will bring good luck or otherwise to that home for the coming year. Traditionally the best person to first foot a home should be a tall dark haired stranger carrying gifts of coal and black bun. The gifts are to represent warmth and food, and it's thought that the stranger should be dark haired as this is the natural colouring of a truly local born Scot rather than someone who had blond or red hair who might have come to Scotland from another land. The family should welcome the stranger in and provide him with food and drink. The tradition is still kept today to some extent although these days black bun and coal are less likely to be seen.

Accommodation in Edinburgh over the Hogmanay season is available in many forms to fit most budgets, and some hotels particularly in the city centre offer special deals for this season. Most prices are a little higher at this time of year, but some do include a street party ticket and many offer special celebration meals as part of the deal too.

For those people who can still manage it, the celebrations go on through the 1st of January as well, though in a more sedate manner with street performances being one of the things on the menu so to speak.