Outlook for Hogmanay parties stays bright, say weathermen

Published on Friday 26 December 2008 20:34

ORGANISERS of Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations were handed a boost last night after weather forecasters predicted relatively good weather to see in 2009.

Experts say that, although temperatures may plunge below freezing, there should be no repeat of the gale-force winds and driving rain that have marred festivities in recent years. Mainly cold and dry conditions are being forecast across Scotland for Wednesday.

Official celebrations in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling all fell victim to the weather two years ago.

Organisers in Edinburgh came under fire after waiting until 9pm on Hogmanay to call the event off despite several days of warnings about gusts of more than 70mph about to lash Scotland.

Edinburgh's party was also the main casualty in 2003-4 when it was called off with less than an hour to go before the Bells. Festivities in Aberdeen were also axed.

Although thousands of tickets are still available for the main events in Edinburgh this year, organisers insist they are braced for a last-minute rush, with all the cheapest passes for Princes Street now taken.

It emerged earlier this week that Glasgow's official Hogmanay party in George Square was sold out.

Other major outdoor events are planned in Stirling, Oban, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Paul Knightley, a forecaster at the Metro Group, said: "The general picture for next week is to continue the trend of the last few days in terms of being pretty chilly but fairly dry without much wind at all.

"There doesn't look as if there will be any snow or storms to speak of."

Kevin Hogg, a forecaster at the Met Office, said: "It looks like being a pretty cold and dry night right across Scotland, pretty much perfect for Hogmanay celebrations.

"It looks like being a bit colder and having more of a breeze in the west of the country, but at this stage it doesn't look as if it will be windy at all."