Date of this event: December 30-31, 2012
On our way to Edinburgh for the Scottish New Year's festival called Hogmanay, we stopped in Saint Andrews.
The University of Saint Andrews
Edinburgh's Hogmanay festival was scheduled to start at 9 P.M. so we spent the day touring the city.
On our way to Edinburgh for the Scottish New Year's festival called Hogmanay, we stopped in Saint Andrews.
The home of golf
Saint Andrews Castle was the main residence of the bishops and archbishops of Saint Andrews.
Don't miss touring the mines and counter-mines at Saint Andrews Castle! People trying to invade the castle starting digging tunnels to get underneath the castle wall to try to blow up the castle. The defenders inside the castle heard people digging and took a few digs to find the attackers. The defenders stopped the attackers from their invasion.
The ruins of Saint Andrews Cathedral
After exploring Saint Andrews, we headed to Edinburgh.
Mom's first stop was at the Swarovski store.
Looking our over Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle
Inside the castle grounds
(Check out dad's sweet neon gloves!)
View of Calton Hill from Edinburgh Castle
Traditional Scottish bagpiper
Having a bit of fun before the festival
We were struggling to find ways to "waste" time before the festival started.
But we managed.
Hogmanay tickets!
Heading to Princes street
Hogmanay= Scottish word for the last day of the year; synonymous with the celebration of the New Year but in the Scottish manner
After quite a long day, it was finally time to enter!
And, OH BOY, was it packed!
(In 1996/1997, Edinburgh's Hogmanay was considered the world's largest New Year's party; however numbers have since been restricted due to safety concerns.)
Trying to find Julie and Michael in the thick crowd
A little bit about Edinburgh's Hogmanay:
"Nowhere on the planet does Hogmanay like Scotland – and nowhere in Scotland does Hogmanay like Edinburgh. As one year turns into the next, Scotland's capital city turns into party central. The city centre is being transformed into the world's biggest dance floor as live DJs and VJs mix six decades of classic pop hits on eight giant screens. Meanwhile, you'll have your pick of live-music stages: on the Scottish Stage, there's a cracking line-up of Admiral Fallow, Lau and Shooglenifty (just try standing still to that lot); and on the Waverley Stage, there are tops sounds from the Maccabees, Reverend and the Makers and the OK Social Club."
Source: http://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/hogmanay-alive-and-kicking
I wouldn't recommend attending Hogmanay if you have a problem with crowds of people.
In order to move from stage to stage, all you had to do was pick up your feet and move with the crowd. It was quite an experience!
The Maccabees
Admiral Fallow
Shooglenifty
I quite liked this band. Have a listen here.
That video gives you a good feel of what the crowd was like.
And then the countdown to the new year
New Year's fireworks
Hogmanay fireworks over Edinburgh
Celebrating the new year at Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party was certainly a once in a lifetime experience! If you have the opportunity, you should look in to attending next year's festival! (However, I wouldn't recommend taking kids under the age of 16.)
Celebrating with family
Happy New Year's!
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