Edinburgh's Hogmanay: the party to end all parties

IT'S nearly time for the party of the year, when the world watches Edinburgh wave goodbye to 2010 and throw its arms around a new, exciting year to come.

The hours are ticking away to four days of intense celebrations, which bring fabulous music, non-stop fun and, naturally, dazzling fireworks.

There is, of course, only one place to be when the clock hands turns to just past midnight to launch the start of 1.1.11 - and that's at the heart of Edinburgh's spectacular Hogmanay celebrations. For as we all know, no-one does Hogmanay quite like us . . .

Around 80,000 lucky revellers will have the chance to sample first hand Edinburgh's huge Hogmanay street party, hopefully well wrapped up against what is likely to be a bitterly cold night, as the final seconds of another year tick away.

Once fireworks have kick-started 2011, the plan is for everyone to link hands in what Edinburgh's Hogmanay party organisers hope will be the world's biggest rendition of what's become the New Year anthem, Auld Lang Syne.

• Poll: Are you looking forward to the Capital's Hogmanay celebrations?

According to Pete Irvine, artistic director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, who has dubbed the celebrations "Love 11", all is going according to plan for the party of the year.

"The countdown has started and we're all set to celebrate a fantastic Hogmanay," he says. "The last-minute touches are being put in place, the bands and performers are arriving in Edinburgh and we're ready to have a party."

Of course, by the time the clock strikes midnight on Friday, Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations will be already well warmed up. For we're so keen to get the New Year party under way that the fun actually kicks off tomorrow.

The precinct at The Mound has been dubbed Resolution Square, and the area becomes the focal point tomorrow when a free party kicks off at 5pm, with live music, food and drink stalls and entertainment.

If the festivities are warming up there, then they'll be positively on fire in the Royal Mile. There, thousands of Torchlight Procession walkers will gather, fiery torches in hand, for the start of a spectacular journey that will wind its way along Princes Street and up to Calton Hill for a stunning Son et Lumiere performance and lavish fireworks display.

The plan is to create a mesmerising 'river of flame', which will snake its way between the two famous landmarks - Parliament Square and Calton Hill.

The Torchlight Procession leaves Parliament Square at 6.30pm, but remember to register beforehand. Buy your torch in advance for 6 or pay 7 on the night - proceeds go to charity. As the walkers begin their journey, hundreds are expected to start gathering at Calton Hill for the thrilling Son et Lumiere and fireworks display, which begins at 7.45pm.

All that promises to provide a dazzling start to the real event the following night - when the heart of Edinburgh becomes a giant party venue for tens of thousands of revellers, many of them locals and many from around the world. Taking centre stage on Hogmanay has to be the sell-out Concert in the Gardens, featuring Ayrshire rockers Biffy Clyro, The Charlatans and special guest Billy Bragg.

Up in Princes Street, the Street Party crowd will enjoy live music and entertainment from DJ sets on four stages - the West End DJ Stage, Waverley Stage, Mound Party Stage and the new East End DJ Stage - and on giant television screens, from 9pm, through the bells and on until 1am.

At the same time, there's more traditional party fun at The Mound, where Resolution Square will be the venue for a sell-out outdoor "Keilidh".

That all sets the scene nicely for the midnight hour and what promises to be another spectacular fireworks display, with Edinburgh Castle once again the star of the show.

Organisers have urged revellers to stay safe, arrive in good time with the right tickets, to dress appropriately - the Met Office is warning Hogmanay temperatures are likely to dip below freezing - and plan ahead.

But the fun does not end when the crowds disperse - it spills over into New Year's Day too.

Resolution Square will be the venue for new music and poetry from Scottish artists from 1pm, among them Dougie McLean, Roddy Woomble and the Boghall and Bathgate Pipe Band. It sets the scene for the main event in the evening, when West Princes Street Gardens is taken over by singer songwriter KT Tunstall for the Resolution Concert, when she'll present a selection of her favourite artists along with a headlining performance of her biggest hits.

It promises to be a rousing start to 2011. Deputy council leader Steve Cardownie, the city's festivals tsar, says: "It will be a fantastic night. I'll be there and can't wait to see Biffy Clyro and the fireworks. My advice, though, would be to make sure you're appropriately dressed, get wrapped up warm and girls especially shouldn't come in their party frocks and high heels. You never know, there might be a long walk home ahead - although there will be night buses on.

"If you are bringing alcohol, make sure it's in plastic bottles or cups as anything glass or metal will be taken off you at the gates."

• For tickets and to register for the Torchlight Procession, go to www.edinburghshogmanay.com or call the box office on 0844 894 2011. They're also available from The Hub, Castlehill, Tickets Scotland in Rose Street, and at Ripping Records, 91 South Bridge.