How to Celebrate Hogmanay in Scotland

Head to the capital city of Edinburgh (where arguably the best Hogmanay celebrations take place) to experience an eye-opening four-day festival of live music, street parties, dance and theatre.

Arrive in Edinburgh by the 29th December for the Hogmanay Torchlight Procession, which opens the celebrations. A crowd of thousands, clutching burning torches and accompanied by pipe players and drummers, follows 'vikings' from Parliament Square up to Calton Hill where a life-size Viking long-ship is burned.

Visit George Street on the evening of December 30th to enjoy the impressive Night Afore International. It's a free carnival and festival that showcases the best in street theatre, comedy and traditional Scottish Ceilidh music and dancing.

Party until the wee hours at the huge Princes Street Party and Concert in the Gardens on 31st December. You'll be amongst 100,000 other revellers, enjoying music from top name bands on the stages underneath Edinburgh castle. These are ticketed events, so you must buy before you go. The same applies for the other major outdoor parties in Glasgow and Stirling.

Make sure your loved ones are nearby on the stroke of midnight when everyone exchanges kisses and hugs as the clock chimes. After a rendition of "Auld Lang Syne," there's yet more kissing and hugging while a fireworks display goes off overhead.

Continue with the ancient Scottish traditions of Hogmanay even if you're not in the capital by observing the custom of "first footing." It refers to the first person to set foot in the house after midnight. Find a man to carry some symbolic shortbread, whisky or coal to bestow the house with good luck for the rest of the year.

Drag yourself out of bed following the previous night's exertions on January 1st to take part in the mile-long One O' Clock Run. The route starts at Edinburgh Castle, winds its way down the Royal Mile past Holyrood Palace and finishes in Holyrood Park. There's no competition - the One O' Clock Run is just a fun, family-oriented event and costs £5 to take part.