EdEdinburgh’s Hogmanay officially began on Monday night as Scotland’s top goalkeeper, Craig Gordon, kicked off the city’s Torchlight Procession.
Craig was accompanied by the Depute Lord Provost, Lezley Marion Cameron, as well as Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad.
Fresh from an exhilarating year when Scotland’s national team qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Gordon’s appearance at the helm of the procession in his hometown marked a powerful moment of Scottish pride.
The local hero and Hearts No 1 played a key role in Scotland securing their first World Cup place in 28 years in an action-packed game against Denmark, with the Tartan Army heading to the US in 2026 to take on Brazil, Haiti and Morocco.
More than 15,000 people took part in the spectacular Torchlight Procession, watched by around 10,000 spectators. The event is run in support of local and national charities, OneCity Trust, When You Wish Upon a Star Scotland, Simon Community Scotland and Age Scotland. £2 from each torch and £1 from every procession ticket sold is donated directly to make a difference in communities across Edinburgh and Scotland.
