FIREWORKS FOR HOGMANAY 2018

Annually, the City of Edinburgh holds a huge firework display over the stunning setting of Edinburgh Castle which coincides with the one in London.

Around Scotland, there are several full-on firework displays taking place for Hogmanay – here are a few of them:

ABERFELDY

This is one of the street parties with live music, lots of food, a licensed bar, and a stunning firework display. The event takes place in the centre of the Square in Aberfeldy in the stunning Perthshire Highlands from 8pm onwards. There will be plenty to see and do so just go along and whilst the event is completely free, donations are gratefully accepted.

INVERNESS

Red Hot Highland fling – this event will take place in the Northern Meeting Park Arena in Inverness on New Year’s Eve from around 8pm and is free but donations are gratefully accepted. Hosted by comedian Craig Hill, the event is listed as one of the top ten Hogmanay events in Scotland. NO ALCOHOL PERMITTED unless bought on site. This is a fantastic display which starts at 8pm and continues until the wee small hours. The fireworks truly are a spectacle as they burst over Inverness Cathedral at midnight.

Entertainment is brought to you by local musicians The Elephant Sessions (traditional Scottish music), Scooty and the Skyhooks (soul music) and Skerryvore (a mix of folk, traditional Scottish, rock and Americana).

STIRLING HOGMANAY

This event caters to both families and adults alike. There are two shows on New Years Eve – the first is for families and as such includes some quieter fireworks AT 9.15PM and then the big shebang is at midnight when the sky will be full of beautiful effects over the stunning Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Institute, which also celebrates is 150^th anniversary in 2019 so this will be bigger and better than last year.

There is entertainment and competition from Capital FM, live music, food concessions and you can even bring along your own alcohol. The only stipulation is that you cannot bring glass into the venue.

There will be an onsite DJ to get the crowd fired up ready for the fireworks – DJ Fat (his name is Albanian and means Luck!). The cost is £10 each and a £1 booking fee. According to everyone who attended last year, it is worth every penny.

STONEHAVEN FIREBALLS CEREMONY

This is Stonehaven’s unique way of welcoming in the New Year. This event attracts visitors from across the country and beyond to witness first hand the swinging ‘Fireballs’. These are wire mesh cages which are packed with cloth, newspapers and coal briquettes and then the cage is secured with wire and then a handle is affixed to enable the ‘swingers’ to do their thing. The parade starts at the stroke of Midnight on the town clock and usually includes around 40 men and women who swing their fireballs around their heads before making their way down to Stonehaven Harbour where they swing the balls into the harbour at around 12.25am when the fireworks are launched from the road above the Harbour, indicating the end of the festivities. However, the people of Stonehaven are known to be a happy crowd and usually keep the party going till the wee small hours and beyond.

So, if you are looking to welcome in the New Year in traditional Scottish fashion, get up there and see the spectacle for yourself.