Weather outlook favourable for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

ORGANISERS of the capital’s celebrations are expecting a late rush for tickets after receiving an improved weather forecast for the festivities.
The Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh kicks off Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations tonight. Picture: TSPLThe Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh kicks off Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations tonight. Picture: TSPL
The Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh kicks off Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations tonight. Picture: TSPL

High winds are now predicted to be unlikely in the capital tomorrow night, while the five-hour event may even escape any showers under the latest predictions.

Experts had warned at the traditional pre-event briefing for the capital’s festivities that they could be hit by heavy rain and high winds because the recent stormy weather was unlikely to shift.

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Organisers insisted they would leave it until the last possible moment to decide if the event should go ahead and the uncertain prediction is thought to have hampered ticket sales.

The Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh kicks off Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations tonight. Picture: TSPLThe Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh kicks off Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations tonight. Picture: TSPL
The Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh kicks off Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations tonight. Picture: TSPL

However the Met Office said possible strong winds across the country on Tuesday afternoon are expected to clear in time for Scotland’s major outdoor events on the night.

A spokesman for the Met Office said: “It looks like there may be the odd passing shower in Edinburgh on Hogmanay, but it is looking mainly dry at the moment for the evening and the wind doesn’t look any stronger than breezy, although with overnight temperatures of around four degrees it will still feel pretty fresh so people should still wrap up well.”

Edinburgh, Inverness and Aberdeen are all set to escape heavy showers which may hit revellers in Glasgow and Stirling tomorrow night.

The spokesman added: “It’s not looking too bad at all for Hogmanay now across the country due to a change in the weather pattern.

“There may be strong winds and rain in the afternoon in several parts of the country on Tuesday but the indications are that they will have moved out to the North Sea before the festivities get underway and that it will be mainly dry later on, with the chance of a shower.”

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Although there was still availability at the official box office yesterday, tickets for the flagship “concert in the gardens” - which English pop icons the Pet Shop Boys are headlining - are expected to sell out in advance, according to organisers.

However Hogmanay street party passes, which cost £20 this year, £5 more than last year, will be available at the box office on the Royal Mile until 9pm on Hogmanay after several thousand remained unsold after Christmas.

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Some of Scotland’s leading musical acts will be appearing at the street party, including Django Django, Chvrches, King Creosote, The Rezillos, Treacherous Orchestra and Fiddlers’ Bid.

What’s on for New Year spectacular

THE additional £400,000 for Scotland’s Hogmanay celebrations will see extra pyrotechnics, lighting effects and fire sculptures at events around the country. Here’s where they can be seen over the next two days.

TONIGHT

Edinburgh - 7:15pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks and lighting display above Calton Hill. 8pm: Son et Lumiere display, fireworks and fire sculpture on Calton Hill.

TOMORROW

Edinburgh - 8:14pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks sequence and lighting display above Calton Hill. 11pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks sequence above Edinburgh Castle during the Concert in the Gardens event headlined by Pet Shop Boys.

Inverness - 8:14pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks and lighting display above the city centre. Fire sculpture lit at Inverness Castle. Midnight: Reprise of Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks sequence during the Red Hot Highland Fling event at the Northern Meeting Park.

Stirling - 8:14pm: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks from Wallace Monument. Midnight: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks reprised during the Stirling Castle concert.

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Biggar - Midnight: Fire sculpture lit as part of annual Hogmanay bonfire celebrations.

Stonehaven - Shortly after midnight: Homecoming Hogmanay fireworks and fire sculpture at Stonehaven Harbour.

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