New Year fireworks to be longest in city’s history

EDINBURGH will welcome in the New Year with the longest fireworks display in its history, organisers have announced.

Around 80,000 revellers are expected to descend on the Capital this Saturday as the city hosts its internationally-renowned Hogmanay celebrations.

Visitors from around 50 countries will join locals for the annual street party, which includes a concert in Princes Street Gardens, a ceilidh and live music from 24 acts across seven stages around the city centre, as well as the famous fireworks display from Edinburgh Castle.

Organisers said the event, which kicks off with a torchlight procession on Friday evening, is expected to generate more than £27 million for Edinburgh’s economy.

Barry Wright, technical director for Unique Events, which produces the celebrations on behalf of Edinburgh City Council, said the celebrations will be “bigger and better”, with the longest firework display ever this year, using between five and six tonnes of fireworks.

He revealed that both the Concert in the Gardens and The Keilidh, to be held on the Mound, were sold out, while ticket sales for the Hogmanay Street Party - featuring music from acts including DJ Mark Ronson, The Vaccines and Friendly Fires - were already ahead of last year’s levels.

The event will be broadcast around the world, with more than one billion people being given the opportunity to see it.

It will also be streamed live online for the first time.

More than 2,000 staff will be working to ensure public safety on the night, including police, security and medical teams.

Councillor Robert Aldridge, environment leader at Edinburgh City Council, said: “To make sure you and your friends have the best possible time seeing in the bells at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, 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 also a good idea to heed the advice from police and stewards, who will be working extremely hard on the night to make sure everyone enjoys themselves safely.”

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.