Festival Moments: Edinburgh's Hogmanay in Photos
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is truly spectacular with tens of thousands of people celebrating the end of one year and the arrival of the next, during three days of fun events. And back in 2017/18 we did our best to capture the moments that make up this iconic event.
The Torchlight Procession
A breathtaking start to Edinburgh's Hogmanay came as around twelve thousand torchbearers paraded down the historic Royal Mile, heading for Holyrood Park...
...all led, of course, by some pretty fearsome-looking Vikings. We think you would definitely want to be walking behind them, rather than having them march towards you!
The perfect opportunity for a quick selfie!
Spectators took to the high ground to witness the river of fire as it moved past the Scottish Parliament while, high on Calton Hill, fireworks illuminated the skies.
And finally to Holyrood Park, where torchbearers helped spell out the word #Braw, chosen by the public to be the first #ScotWord as part of Scotland's Year of Young People 2018.
Bairns Afore, the Hogmanay Street Party and the Concert in the Gardens
Making sure that even those with a bedtime well before midnight got to enjoy the Hogmanay celebrations, the new Bairns Afore event gave young revellers a taste of the grown-up party to come just a few hours later, with some fab live music and fireworks.
These young partygoers had a great time at Bairns Afore... and how great are those glasses?!
Later that evening, acclaimed singer-songwriter Rag'n'Bone Man headlined the main event, making for a soulful start to 2018. This year's headliners will no doubt please the crowds in equal measure as indie-pop supremos Franz Ferdinand take to the stage.
Partygoers in the crowd certainly enjoyed the Concert in the Gardens!
All along Princes Street, tens of thousands of people enjoyed street performers and live music across multiple stages, dancing the night away as midnight approached.
And when magic midnight moment arrived, the crowds were treated to a jaw-dropping fireworks display, as viewed at a distance here from Calton Hill...
...and much closer up from the big wheel in the city-centre! The familiar strains of Auld Lang Syne rang out as 2018 arrived and the party went on into the night.
The Looney Dook and Message from the Skies
As morning came on New Year's Day around a thousand brave souls took part in the ever-popular Loony Dook at South Queensferry, with a fantastic range of costumes on display!
Not content with being in the freezing water of the River Forth, these chaps decided to take a bath at the same time!
Meanwhile, Uncle Sam and Lady Liberty took a patriotic plunge - mostly likely followed by a star-spangled towel...
...and we found out that the Yellow Brick Road actually diverts briefly into East Central Scotland!
Back on dry land, the Message from the Skies project led participants on a cross-city treasure hunt to find some of Edinburgh's most famous spaces illuminated with images and stories...
...not to mention what might be read as a statement of intent for the year ahead.
All images © Edinburgh's Hogmanay. Photographs by:
- David Cheskin
- Ian Georgeson
- Liam Anderstrem
- Chris Watt
- Ian Rutherford