THREE days of Hogmanay celebrations got under way with a torchlight parade through Edinburgh city centre.
More than 7000 torchbearers made their way through the city watched by tens of thousands of spectators last night to kick off the start of the world-famous end-of-the-year bash.
A crowd of around 80,000 are expected to see in the New Year in the capital this year, with the celebrations worth around £34 million to the city's economy.
This year's street party will be marked by hourly one-minute firework displays for the countdown to 2013 starting at 9pm and culminating in a massive display in the sky above Edinburgh Castle.
Music will be provided by five live stages with Scottish bands Simple Minds and The View, as well as The Maccabees and Admiral Fallow, among the acts due to perform.
Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh City Council's festivals and events champion, said the torch parade was a popular start to three days of New Year celebrations.
He said: "We moved it back a day because people were saying they wanted to participate but they arrived in Edinburgh too late to take part. It is spectacular to watch."
Other cities are also putting on their own festivities in the run up to the turn of the year. A Hogmanay Day is being held in Glasgow's George Square with music and Highland dancing, ending at 10pm.
Free concerts take place in Inverness and Stirling, while there will be a fireworks display in Aberdeen. Despite problems with flooding earlier this winter, Stonehaven's famous fireball parade goes ahead, along with a free concert expected to be attended by 10,000 people.
Revellers have been advised to wrap up warm with temperatures in Scotland due to drop to single degrees C over the bells, but forecasters say rain will be restricted to showers.
Scotland's Chief Medical Officer, Sir Harry Burns, called for people to take care over New Year and drink alcohol responsibly.
He said: "If you are planning on drinking over New Year, it is best to take it steady, pace yourself and have a meal beforehand to soak up some of the alcohol."
l The Herald will be published as normal tomorrow, bringing you our leading mix of news, comment, business and sport as well as coverage of Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations.
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