HOGMANAY takes on a new, scaled-back but more family-friendly look tomorrow with changes to all of the country's top parties.
Glasgow's George Square day-long celebration will be geared towards families this time round and the curling contests for members of the public will be the centrepiece of the "Hogmanayday" party which ends at 10pm, while Aberdeen is holding a light show and a 15-minute firework display, thought to be the longest in country.
Edinburgh's world-famous street party will be Scotland's only major street event this year because of cutbacks in other cities.
Organisers said 80,000 revellers were expected to attend an event that attracts a global TV audience of a billion viewers, with a live internet feed from 17 cameras for the first time.
Visitors from around 50 countries will join locals for the capital's annual street party, which includes a concert in Princes Street Gardens. Six tonnes of fireworks will go up in six minutes from Edinburgh Castle, while a ceilidh and live music from 24 acts will be staged across seven stages around the city centre.
Organisers said the event is expected to generate more than £27 million for Edinburgh's economy.
Glasgow businesses are expecting more people throughout the day with the new-style Hogmanay celebrations, while many eateries will remain open on New Year's Eve this time round because of the party format.
Ryan James, chairman of the Glasgow Restaurant Association, said: "Christmas this year has been the best I have seen in the past three years. Having spoken to restaurateurs around the city the Christmas season has been the shot in the arm that we all needed."
The Met Office said while there will be a fresh wind across much of Scotland on Hogmanay and through the night that will make it feel cold, it is expected to remain largely dry with some showers and snow on high ground.
l The big night out is making way for the big night in, a New Year's Eve survey has found.
Three in four people (74%) plan to stay at home this Hogmanay, according to a Post Office Home Insurance survey.
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