Edinburgh’s Hogmanay hailed a ‘major success’

The organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay have been quick to advise that all of the events (which continue today) which make up the three day event have been a major success. They claim that the event has retained its prestigious, world-wide reputation as the ‘Home of Hogmanay’. Certainly the photos from those attending the fireworks display and concerts attest to the fabulous sights to be seen. What do you think? Does it do it for you? Add your comment below.

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According to organisers Unique Events, who have produced Edinburgh’s Hogmanay for 22 years  on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, the event was a total sell out with 75,000 revellers celebrating the New Year at  the world famous Street Party, Concert in the Gardens and The Keilidh, where party-goers from far and wide enjoyed top class music and entertainment.

Joining headliner Lily Allen on the Concert in the Gardens stage were special guests, 5 x Brit nominated, Grammy award winning dance/R&B superstars Soul II Soul, who celebrated 25 years of chart topping success last year, and the internationally acclaimed Björn Again the Australian ABBA show who got the party started.

The world famous Street Party entertained revellers with a stellar Scottish line-up.  Among the highlights were Twin Atlantic, Mercury Prize winning Young Fathers, and Twilight Sad while on the Scottish Stage revellers were entertained by Eddi Reader, Breabach and Ross Ainslie & Jarlath Henderson.  Revellers throughout the Street Party were all dancing to the biggest ever Hot Dub Time Machine with Australian DJ Tom Loud.

The Keilidh saw around 2,750 revellers enjoying Scottish roots artists including the The Smashers (featuring members of Rura), Hugh MacDiarmid’s Haircut and The Jimi Shandrix Experience as well as having fun on the Edinburgh Wheel and the Star Flyer.

Steve Cardownie, Festival and Events Champion, City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations have long been the envy of cities across the globe. With one of the best artist line-ups ever, tonight has been a truly fantastic event, bringing together 75,000 revellers from all over the world to bring in the bells in the heart of our great capital city. Where better to kick off 2015”

Pete Irvine, Director, Unique Events said: “What a great night. Lily Allen rocked the Concert in the Gardens, and a full Scottish line up across the Street Party stages was a great way to start 2015”

Chief Superintendent Mark Williams, Edinburgh Policing Commander said:  “Edinburgh has once again welcomed in the New Year in spectacular fashion, and I would like to thank all those in attendance for supporting police officers and security staff to deliver a safe and hugely enjoyable event. We worked closely with the City of Edinburgh Council, Unique Events and emergency services colleagues to plan for the Street Party, Torchlight Procession and general celebrations, and I am very pleased that the festival passed off smoothly with no major issues.”

There were 3 arrests for minor disorder.  These are preliminary figures and will be updated later today.

Free NightBus services ran throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians for revellers at the Street Party and throughout the City Centre, supported by Lothian Buses and Johnnie Walker.  These safe rides home are part of the Join the Pact global responsible drinking initiative from Johnnie Walker which has secured over one million personal commitments from people across the world to never to drink and drive.

The big clean-up began at around 3am, after the celebrations ended. The majority of the 60 to 75 tonnes of refuse will be plastic bottles, with the remainder made up of food cartons, clothing and glass. This year Unique Events is working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill: there will be recycling bins at entrance points for packaging and glass waste.

The entertainment continues today with a programme of activities for all the family:   For the hardy, the sold out Loony Dook – the annual New Year’s Day dip in the River Forth – will start off with a Dookers Parade through South Queensferry featuring pipers and a host of entertainment at 1.20pm followed by the brave (or daft) Loony Dookers. For those not quite brave enough to take the plunge, there are plenty of vantage points to watch the action and spectators are welcomed.

Revellers are also invited to come and enjoy some of the very best of art and culture from across Scotland, brought to Edinburgh’s Old Town at Scot:Lands.  Visitors can take a journey around ten atmospheric venues in the Old Town, each curated and customised by notable artists and arts organisations from all over the country.  This cultural feast, supported by the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund starts from midday at Home:Land at the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street.

Full details of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay are available at www.edinburghshogmanay.com