Parties and fireworks to celebrate arrival of 2017

Published 31st Dec 2016

Revellers will welcome in 2017 with parties and firework displays across the country tonight.

Organisers of Edinburgh's Hogmanay are promising a ''spectacular'' show to see in the new year.

About 80,000 people are expected to pack into Edinburgh city centre on Saturday for the world-famous street party which will see performances from The Charlatans, Fatherson and Be Charlotte.

The concert in the gardens is being headlined by Scots favourite Paolo Nutini, who will be joined by special guests The Lightning Seeds and fellow Paisley artists The Vegan Leather.

Performances will conclude with the Midnight Moment laser and fireworks display from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle, which will be visible in the skies for 30 miles around.

Thousands of party-goers will join hands to sing the world's largest rendition of Auld Lang Syne at the stroke of midnight, with images being beamed around the globe of Scotland's big party night.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay is described as the UK's largest outdoor winter festival welcoming some 150,000 visitors from over 80 countries. Bosses at Edinburgh Airport projected more than 86,000 passengers would arrive between Christmas Day and New Year's Eve, the highest number ever in the period running up to Hogmanay.

Police Scotland said it has ''reviewed'' safety plans following the recent truck attack on a Christmas market in Berlin.

Chief Superintendent Kenny MacDonald said: ''We are absolutely confident that the plans that we have in place are proportionate and appropriate, and we will make sure that we deliver a safe event.'

Alan Thomson, director of organisers Unique Events, said: ''We are very much seen as the home of Hogmanay. We hold our own against New York, Sydney and London, and for a population the size of Edinburgh to have such a world-class festival, people are drawn to that.''

In Stirling, revellers can enjoy a family-friendly sound and light parade which will conclude with a spectacular fireworks display from Stirling Castle.

Provost Mike Robbins said: ''Building on the success of last year's parade we have added a few more surprises and hope that Stirling residents and visitors will be able to join in the fun, whatever the weather.''

In Aberdeen there will be live music from 9.30pm from local bands The Lorelei and Funk Connection on a stage placed between Triple Kirks and Cowdray Hall on Schoolhill.

As the clock strikes midnight, a fireworks show will light up the sky from the rooftop of His Majesty's Theatre with the best views from Union Bridge and Union Terrace. Senior Met Office adviser Graeme Forrester said: ''Edinburgh looks like being largely dry up to New Year. However, Hogmanay itself will be blustery and we may see some rain during the afternoon.Hopefully any rain will clear by evening but by the time of the bells it will feel cold so make sure you have enough layers on.''

Celebrations will continue right through the night and into the morning of January 1 when more than 1,000 people will run into the chilly Forth at South Queensferry as part of The Stoats Loony Dook.