The Benefits of Celebrating new Year in Scotland
New Year is a very special time in Scotland. It's a more important celebration than Christmas, and the Scots even have their own name for it - Hogmanay. The origins of the word are shrouded in the mists of time, but it's possible that it came from the Gaelic'oge maidne,' meaning literally 'new morning'. While many countries in the world celebrate the New Year, there's nothing quite like Hogmanay. What follows are just some of the benefits of celebrating New Year in Scotland.
The street parties
The major street parties inEdinburghand Glasgow are like nothing else in the world. Locals and visitors mingle and have a great time from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m., dancing to live bands and DJs and toasting the New Year. Tickets are a very reasonable 15GBP, and you can bring your own alcohol, as long as it's not in glass containers.
With many venues charging up to 200GBP for the evening, this is a budget-friendly way to celebrate Hogmanay, as well as being very entertaining. What's more, the celebrations spread over three days, so you know you've had a party! There's no need to worry about transport home, either. Edinburgh operatesfree bus travelwithin the city and out to Glasgow, Stirling, Perth, and Dundee. The service is available until 4 a.m. on New Year's Day.
Choice of experiences
Everywhere in Scotland, from the major cities to the smallest villages, arrangements for Hogmanay celebrations are made. Party in the streets or experience a traditional Highland celebration away from the crowds. Wherever you spend New Year, you're sure of a warm welcome - and a kiss at midnight.
If you want to celebrate in style, go to the famous three-day house party at Gleneagles, where the New Year is piped in at the Hogmanay Ball. Or spend New Year in a Scottish castle. Whatever your budget, you're sure to have a great New Year in Scotland.
The customs
Scotland boasts manyNew Year customsthat are unheard of elsewhere in the world, so Hogmanay is a chance to get fully immersed in Scottish culture. Scots like to clean their house and clear their debts on 31 December - New Year truly is a new beginning. And there are torchlight processions and fire ceremonies all over the country. It's an experience not to be missed.
Everyone should aim to spend at least one New Year in Scotland in their lifetime. Experience the culture, the hospitality and, of course, the whisky as you bring in the New Year with the people who more or less invented the celebration. Another benefit of spending New Year in Scotland is that January 2 is also a public holiday, so you have an extra day to recover from all the partying!
