Hogmanay street party set to be sell-out

Around 80,000 revellers are expected, with the capital set to avoid high winds that have led to the last-minute cancellation of the party in the past.

With ticket sales ahead of last year, organisers said they were optimistic the event would sell out in the hours leading up to the street party.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will this year be attended by party-goers from 50 countries as far afield as Argentina, Bahrain and Trinidad and Tobago.

Scots rockers Primal Scream will headline the sold-out Concert in the Gardens in West Princes Street Gardens, while there will be a ceilidh on The Mound.

Jim Watson, public weather service adviser for the Met Office, said temperatures would be low but there would be no repeat of high winds that battered much of Scotland on Wednesday.

He said: “The weather is currently looking good for the Edinburgh Hogmanay celebrations, generally dry, but with the possibility of some showers reaching the city.

“Although temperatures are likely to stay above freezing, the strong southwest wind will mean that it will feel cold. It will be predominately dry and that continues overnight and into New Year’s Day. In general, it won’t be too bad, given it’s winter in Scotland.”

Mr Watson said there was “no real prospect” of the sort of dangerously high winds that led to the cancellation of the celebrations to welcome-in 2007.

Barry Wright, technical director for Unique Events, said this year’s street party would be “bigger and better” than ever.

The event will also be streamed live on the internet for the first time, with a further one billion people expected to watch TV pictures of the street party across the globe.

About 380 officers from Lothian and Borders Police will be working, with 650 stewards at the party, while 60 first-aiders and 24 ambulance staff will join a team of doctors and nurses to offer medical assistance.

Lothian and Borders Police Assistant Chief Constable Iain Livingstone said recent years had seen very few arrests but he added that police would not be complacent. He said: “In the last number of years we have got to a position where we are literally in single figures in terms of the number of arrests.

“I think that’s quite remarkable and testament to all the thorough and robust planning that goes into it. Public safety is our top priority at Hogmanay, and I would like to remind people attending the street party that they will not be able to bring glass into the arena. We want to create a happy atmosphere and safe environment to make this an evening to remember for all the right reasons.”

Robert Aldridge, Edinburgh’s environment leader, added: “To make sure you and your friends have the best possible time seeing in the bells, take some simple steps to look after yourself – dress for the weather, bring your New Year cheer in plastic bottles, and use your common sense.

“It’s a good idea to heed advice from police and stewards, who will be working to make sure everyone enjoys themselves safely.”

IN NUMBERS

• £27m: The amount Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations are said to be worth to the local economy.

• 20,000: The number of people expected to watch the torchlight procession which will kick-off the celebrations tonight.

• 19: It will be the 19th year Edinburgh has hosted the street party.

• 6 tonnes: The amount of fireworks used for this year’s display, which will be the longest in the history of the event.

WEATHER FORECAST

TEMPERATURES for Edinburgh’s street party are expected to stay above freezing, although the wind chill will make it feel cold.

The capital is expected to avoid the high winds which hit much of the country on Wednesday, but may see some showers.

In Glasgow, there are likely to be heavy showers on Hogmanay, with temperatures dipping to around 6C. The wind chill will make it feel significantly colder.

Aberdeen and Dundee are expected to have a largely dry day, with the former having clear skies for its celebrations. Inverness will see light showers, with temperatures as low as 2C.