Written By: Gail Clifford | Published By: Food, Wine & Travel Magazine | December 30, 2022
31 Experiences Celebrating Scotland’s Hogmanay New Year’s Eve Celebration
When it comes to New Year’s Celebrations, Scotland may not be your first thought, but it should be … Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is a three-day festival where the world comes to party, to celebrate the New Year. Edinburgh is a great place to start your exploration of Scotland’s holiday celebrations. My great-great-grandfather was born in Edinburgh, so it was especially moving for my family to walk the paths he did as a lad. Our most exceptional experience was the torch bearers ceremony and, while not available this year, we look forward to its return.
The Royal Yacht Britannia
We took the Hop On Hop Off Bus to reach the Ocean Terminal Shopping Centre in Leith, a 20-minute drive from city center, to explore the Royal Yacht Britannia. With reservations, we entered to explore all five decks and discover what Royal service was like aboard what was reportedly Queen Elizabeth II’s favorite home.
Royal Yacht Brittania State Dining Room © Mark Millar
Sport
Rugby remains one of Scotland’s favorite sports, and 2022 is the 150th anniversary of the 1872 Cup. The “World’s Oldest Intercity Derby,” pits rivals the Edinburgh Rugby vs. the Glasgow Warriors for epic bragging rights.
Pro Tip: Book early for the best seats.
Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh Castle © VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Yet there’s no need to remain a spectator in Edinburgh with her 26th annualtriathlon and an ice rink on George Street ready to keep kids and adults in the middle of the city viewing all the festive lights and snow-scented air tingling your nose.
Lights
Visit Edinburgh Castle of Light: A Kingdom of Colours for a beautiful illumination ceremony with its family-friendly trail expanding to include new light installations. As you’re guided through this medieval fortress, learn the story of the castle and the way Scotland became part of the United Kingdom.
Pro Tip: Don’t forgot to snap the perfect shot in the tunnel of light!
Performances
Storytelling perfected during long Scottish nights and 500 years of Hogmanay celebrations weaves its way through performances from theater to dance to magic shows including MagicFest
The Alan Crookston Ceilidh Band’s Countdown to Hogmanay and the Festival of Ceilidhs remain a crowd favorite while the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra’s celebration with reels and jigs and haunting songs.
Theater returns full force this season with Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at the Festival Theatre, a Panto production straight from the London Palladium (book early) and My Fair Lady at the Edinburgh Playhouse with A Christmas Carol at the Royal Lyceum Theatre
Charles Dickens is forever tied to Edinburgh folklore with his stroll through a graveyard, coming upon the tombstone of “Ebenezer Scroogie” inspiring A Christmas Carol. Adapted since then, this version by Tony Cownie expects a visit from the legendary GreyFriars Bobby.
A Scottish Ceilidh ©Visit Scotland / Fintry
This sweet little Skye Terrier reportedly guarded his police officer owner’s grave for 14 years until his own death in 1872.
Music
Many of the city’s parties are associated with live music. Enjoy the “Night Afore Disco Party” with Forth 1 or the New Year’s Eve Concert with the Pet Shop Boys headlining in the West Princes Street Gardens and surrounding Street Party. Perhaps you’ll like the “Final Fling” where Scottish group Tide Lines headlines the closing session of the official Hogmanay celebration. No matter which you choose, you’ll dance and sing until you’re breathless.
In addition to the city festivals, the Candlelit Concert at St. Giles Cathedral remains the perfect opportunity to view this architectural marvel and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra plays a Viennese New Year Concert at Usher Hall.
When you think it might all be over, “First Footin’s” first appearance presents free live music performances at various city center pubs and venues across both Old and New Edinburgh.
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