The build-up to Scotland�s Hogmanay celebrations started with a bang last night, as a torchlight procession of dancers, pipers and performers led a crowd through Edinburgh for a firework show on Calton Hill.
The build-up to Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations started with a bang last night, as a torchlight procession of dancers, pipers and performers led a crowd through Edinburgh for a firework show on Calton Hill, inaugurating a series of events that will carry Scots into the new year.
Organisers expected around 20,000 people to attend the procession through the capital, which was due to set off on the Royal Mile at 8pm.
Despite the worsening state of the UK economy, Scotland's Hogmanay parties are - weather permitting - expected to enjoy a bumper year, with major events being held in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Inverness and Stirling.
Organisers of the Edinburgh street party, which has grown in stature to rival events held in Sydney, Paris, London and New York, said that more than 100,000 are expected to attend.
The 50,000 passes for the street party sold out four days earlier than last year and anyone still wishing to attend will have to pay at least £35 for a ticket to one of the four events held on Hogmanay. The biggest of these is the Concert in the Gardens, which will be headlined by dance act Groove Armada, whose act will culminate with a "canopy of lasers".
They will be joined by the Paisley-born pop star Paolo Nutini, who will also play at the Hogmanay party held in Glasgow in George Square. There he'll be joined on the bill by Idlewild and Bleachie and play to a crowd expected to number around 15,000.
Last night's procession, which has become a staple in the Edinburgh festive calendar, will be followed today by a free dance festival in the capital's Grassmarket.
The event, which is new this year, will officially usher in the start of the 2009 Homecoming Scotland celebrations, held to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns.
A spokeswoman for Unique Events, which is organising the festival, said that around 9000 people could attend The Dancin'. She added that a number of the Hogmanay events in the capital were "close to capacity" and could sell out, although it was expected that members of the public would still be able to buy tickets on the night.
Tomorrow's parties will also see Scottish singer/songwriters Amy Macdonald and Sandi Thom playing at the Aberdeen Winter Festival Hogmanay Street Party.
In Inverness, the normally low-key celebrations have been replaced by a five-hour free Hogmanay party in the Northern Meeting Park, headlined by The Magic Numbers, while Stirling Castle will host a number of bands including 80s Scottish pop legends Deacon Blue.
An increased turn-out is expected in Edinburgh this year, despite the price of street party tickets doubling from £5 to £10. The council has defended the increase, which it said would enable organisers to "stage a quality and creative event, in addition to covering rises in fuel, security and infrastructure costs".
What's on
Edinburgh
This year, the capital's Hogmanay organisers claim that the city will host the "world's best New Year celebration", and with passes already sold out this claim seems to be ringing true already.
Auld Reekie's dwellers are being spoiled for choice as not only one but four days are being given over to celebrate the coming of 2009 in a New Year extravaganza that can compete with the best of them. Princes Street's renowned Hogmanay will also last for an additional hour, begining at 9pm and ending at 1am. Pass-holders will be able to see some of the best musical talent that Scotland has to offer - including headline act the Hoosiers - on four stages.
If you haven't been lucky enough to get a ticket for the street party, access can still be gained by buying tickets to other events such as the Glayva Ceilidh in the Gardens, Boogie Wonderland and the Concert in the Gardens. Last-minute tickets can also be collected tomorrow between 10am and 10pm at the St Andrew Square box office.
Glasgow
In Glasgow's George Square, Paolo Nutini and Idlewild will headline alongside Bleachie, Europe's foremost' Blondie tribute band, with The Ray Summers kickstarting festivities.
Aberdeen Singers Amy Macdonald and Sandi Thom will headline the city's Hogmanay festivities. The city's celebrations will begin at 9pm in Castlegate and Union Street and finish at 12.30am.
Inverness
In Inverness, the Magic Numbers will headline in the city's Northern Meeting Park at 8pm. Local band Lowtide Revelry and Single Malt Sound System (a ceilidh collective) will play backup. The new year will be brought in by fireworks and Albannach, a pipes and drums band will close the show.
Stonehaven
Bigger does not, however, mean better with Stonehaven's quirky "Fireball Festival". To the backdrop of piping and drumming, the town's locals will bring in the new year with a crowd-dazzling spectacular of fireball-wielding revellers.
Stirling
The Hogmanay celebrations have been described as more intimate than other parties across Scotland. The celebrations take place in the shadow of one of Scotland's most iconic landmarks, Stirling Castle, which will illuminate the City's skyline with music and lights.Deacon Blue providing a raft of classics.
