Scotland welcomes the world to join the party

Published on Friday 31 December 2010 20:19

THE world came to Scotland to join in Hogmanay celebrations at sold-out events and street parties around the country.

More than 80,000 packed into Edinburgh city centre for the Capital's world famous Street party, with Scottish rock act Biffy Clyro stealing the show with their first ever Hogmanay concert.

In Glasgow thousands of revellers danced to Capercaillie, Salsa Celtica and DJ Dolphin Boy at an open-air ceilidh in George Square.

Street parties in Stonehaven, Inverness, Biggar and Aberdeen also attracted thousands of revellers determined to brave the chill and to celebrate the New Year in traditional style.

In the capital, Biffy Clyro, Billy Bragg and the Charlatans entertained the crowds in Princes Street Gardens, while thousands of people thronged Princes Street for the spectacular fireworks display from the Castle.

At Stirling Castle, performances included Wagner Carrilho from The X Factor – and organisers were promising their "biggest ever" Hogmanay fireworks display at midnight.

About 15,000 people joined the celebrations for the Red Hot Highland Fling at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness, featuring The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Blazin' Fiddles and the Peatbog Faeries.

Biggar in Lanarkshire celebrated the passing of the year with the traditional Biggar Bonfire and singsong in the town centre, while in Stonehaven residents watched the traditional procession in which those taking part swing giant fireballs into the sea. Inhabitants of Comrie in Perthshire celebrated with an annual Flambeaux fire ceremony – said to chase evil spirits from the village.

In Edinburgh, tourists from around the world came to join the celebrations. Ric Averill, a plawright from Kansas, came with his actress wife, Jeanne, and their son, Will. He said: "My father was very proud of his Scottish roots, we recited Burns and my brother played the bagpipes. I'm looking forward to singing Auld Lang Syne."

Student Ilaria Mameli came from Sardinia with seven cousins. "We were looking for somewhere to spend New Year. We heard that this is the biggest celebration in Europe," she said.

Johnson Zhang, a tourism student from Hunan province in China said: "It is my first time in Scotland. It's amazing. I came to hear some traditional music and see men wearing kilts."

Roman Yvanov, a software developer from St Petersburg in Russia, came to Scotland after researching New Year celebrations on the internet.

"I was searching for a place in Europe to come for New Year. I looked at Edinburgh and noticed that hotels were almost fully booked – so I thought there must be something good happening there," he said.

For Manchester act The Charlatans, the Edinburgh concert was also a special occasion as it marked the return of drummer Jon Brookes, who has not played with the band since suffering a brain tumour in September.

Singer Tim Burgess said: "It's going to be Jon's first gig back since September, so that's going to be an emotional time for us as well".

"I think it is going to be an all- round brilliant evening for everybody. It's going to be epic."

Natalie Denholm, 25, an admin assistant from Loanhead, Midlothian, was attending the street party for the first time with a group of friends After watching Biffy Clyro and the Charlatans send the crowds wild she said: "Its really brilliant. The atmosphere has just gotten better all the time. The stage with the backdrop and the Castle is just amazing."

Couple Brian Alexander, 21, and Jo Knox, 20, from Coalsnaughton, Clackmannanshire, said they were stunned by the midnight fireworks at Edinburgh Castle.

Ms Knox said: "We're staying with a pal in Edinburgh tonight but I don't think we'll make it back as the party here is so good. The fireworks were amazing. The highlight for me was Biffy Clyro, who were amazing. They made it a really special night."

Fiance Brian added: "I'm just here for the drink - but it was nice to see a couple of great bands as well. I know the boys from Biffy Clyro from when I used to play in bands in Ayrshire, so I might get to party with them later as well."

At the Ceilidh stage in Edinburgh there was a special moment at 11pm when a young man proposed to his girlfriend live on stage and she accepted.

Italian Marco Pellotti, from Ravenna, drove for two days to get to Edinburgh with a group of nine friends.

He said: "We had heard it was the best party in the world – and so far it has not disappointed."

Scotland's biggest street party was set to generate a large financial bonus for Scotland with an estimated 30 million in revenue.

In Aberdeen, instead of the traditional Hogmanay concert in the Castlegate, the New Year was celebrated with a spectacular fireworks display launched from the roof of His Majesty's Theatre.

Before the 15-minute display, the countdown to midnight began with a clock projected on to the face of the theatre. A series of Happy New Year messages in a number of languages were also projected on to the historic building, mirroring the multi-cultural population of the North-east.

Lord Provost Peter Stephen said: "I hope all those who visit the city centre on Hogmanay will soak up the festive atmosphere and enjoy the fireworks display to mark the bells."

Thousands of people flocked to Stonehaven for the traditional Fireballs ceremony in the High Street – now firmly established as one of Scotland's most popular Hogmanay events.

Almost 50 fireball swingers lined up to take part in the ceremony, swinging blazing balls of fire above their heads before throwing them into the harbour.

Culture minister Fiona Hyslop said: "The Scotland's Winter Festivals programme shows that our country is a great visitor destination and the perfect stage for events all year round.

"With Edinburgh's Hogmanay generating an estimated 29m last year, we know that festive celebrations can make a significant contribution to Scottish tourism and our economy.

"That is why our winter festivals are so valuable – they will help entice people from home and abroad to explore all areas of Scotland."

In Edinburgh, a total of four live music stages boasted a range of artists including The Coral, Newton Faulkner and Treacherous Orchestra and DJ sets from Booka Shade, Kaiser Chiefs and Goldie Lookin Chain.

Party-goers were also ready to dance the night away at The Keilidh where more traditional musicians Heuch, Hugh MacDiarmid's Haircut and Brechin City Rollers where performing.

New Year resolutions and messages appeared on giant screens throughout the event, with 25p from every text set to be donated to the charity Help for Heroes.

About 330 Lothian and Borders Police officers were on duty to keep watch on the crowd, along with 450 stewards from Group 4 Security (G4S).

Last year 18 per cent of those who attended the celebrations in the capital were from overseas, and this time a record 25,000 people attended the opening torchlit procession