Underbelly who organise Edinburgh’s Hogmanay for The City of Edinburgh Council estimate that around 40,000 people gathered in the city centre for the Torchlight procession. The event was a complete sell out with 50p from every ticket going to the Lord Provost’s charity OneCity Trust.
40 members of the Celtic Fire Company PyroCeltica led the procession with their Highland Warriors showing off fire skills – everything from flaming claymores to Fire staffs.
The event marked the end of Scotland’s Year of Young People which began on the same night last year. Young people have been at the heart of many events in Scotland throughout the year, and had created the #ScotArt sculptures which formed a heart shape at the centre of a blazing outline of Scotland.
Lord Provost Frank Ross poses with PyroCeltica Photo John Preece 
Lord Provost Frank Ross poses with PyroCeltica Photo John Preece 
Female performers from PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle before the procession. Photo John Preece 
PyroCeltica perform in front of Edinburgh Castle Photo John Preece 
Male performers with PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle Photo John Preece 
PyroCeltica perform in front of Edinburgh Castle Photo John Preece 
PyroCeltica perform in front of Edinburgh Castle Photo John Preece
Following the grand #ScotArt collective moment, those taking part kept warm by dancing to an evening of top entertainment, including performances from PyroCeltica, DJ Calverto, The Torches and a very special headline performance from Stephanie Cheape, Scotland’s new vixen of dark pop before the night came to a sparkling end with fireworks lifting from Calton Hill. Have a look on our Facebook page for the whole range of fireworks photos taken on Sunday evening.
Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Frank Ross, said: “What an amazing feeling leading thousands of torchbearers through Edinburgh’s Old Town for our annual Torchlight Procession.
“This year’s event was even more breath-taking thanks to its fiery finale, which featured hundreds of young Scots arranging their torches in order to create a glowing outline of Scotland.
“It marked the start of our Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations and I hope the 150,000 people who join us over the course of our famous three-day festival enjoy taking part. Happy New Year everyone.”
Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Edinburgh Hogmanay’s incredible Torchlight Procession has once again kick-started three-days of celebrations for those seeking to bring in the New Year in style. Famous the world over for spectacular images of both visitors and locals illuminating the city streets, the event continues to reinforce Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”
“EventScotland is once again proud to support the event, which this year formed a fitting finale for Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018.”
Year of Young People 2018 is a celebration of Scotland’s incredible young people, while giving them a louder platform for their voices to be heard.
Torchlight Procession fireworks were set off from Calton Hill by Titanium Fireworks Photo Martin P McAdam 
Torchlight Procession fireworks were set off from Calton Hill by Titanium Fireworks Photo Martin P McAdam 
Torchlight Procession fireworks were set off from Calton Hill by Titanium Fireworks Photo Martin P McAdam
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
