SIH Guide to a Hair-Raising Hogmanay

Hogmanay is the winter festival where Scotland comes into its own.  It’s so much more than a New Year celebration, it’s a very big deal in Scotland.

Take Edinburgh.  This historic city celebrates Hogmanay with a three-day festival, starting with a torchlight procession on 30th December lead by real Vikings (or as near as) from the Royal Mile to Carlton Hill.  The next day is devoted to the street party with concerts, ceilidhs and fireworks galore.  Followed by a traditional dunk in the icy Forth the next day, known as the Loony Dook, for the bravest of visitors and locals.

The Loony Dook, New Year's Day

Other Traditions:

First-Footing - After the stroke of midnight, friends and neighbours visit each other, with gifts such as shortbread or a lump of coal. In return they are given a wee dram to toast the New Year. It signifies your fortunes for the coming year.

Redding the House – A big clean up before new year, clearing away evil spirits and Christmas debris at the same time!

Fire Festivals – If the cleaning doesn’t get rid of the evil spirits, a giant bonfire and firelight procession might do the trick.  The Stonehaven Fireballs festival (south of Aberdeen) is one of the most dramatic.

Stonehaven Fireballs Festival

Auld Lang Syne – Singing Robert Burns’ poem is an essential part of the celebrations. No miming, here are the words.
And you need to get physical, the singing is accompanied by a linking of arms which cross each singer’s chest.

Irn Bru – the traditional Scottish hangover cure.



Images courtesy of Visit Scotland.

Why Edinburgh is a great city to visit

Here are some of the highlights of a visit to Edinburgh from the perspective of Jayne Goodsir of Smart CityHostels, a five star Hostel located in the centre of the city

History 

Edinburgh has a unique and fascinating and eclectic mix of old town and new town history.  The area around modern-day Edinburgh has been inhabited for thousands of years.Its origins as a settlement can be traced to the early Middle Ages.  

Edinburgh Castle 

Edinburgh Castle is the most famous Scottish Castle.  The oldest part,  St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century.  The Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510, the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War.  The castle is home to the Crown Jewels of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland. 

Edinburgh Vaults 

The Edinburgh Vaults or South Bridge Vaults are a series of chambers formed in the nineteen arches of the South Bridge in Edinburgh, Scotland, which was completed in 1788. For around 30 years, the vaults were used to house taverns, cobblers and other tradesmen, and as storage space for illicit material, reportedly including the bodies of people killed by serial killers Burke and Hare for medical experiments. As the conditions in the vaults deteriorated, mainly because of damp and poor air quality, the businesses left and the very poorest of Edinburgh's citizens moved in, though by around 1820, even they are believed to have left too. That people had lived there was only discovered in 1985 during an excavation, when middens were found containing toys, medicine bottles, plates, and other signs of human habitation.  Guests can tour the vaults on various walks and tours. 

Arthur’s Seat 

Not many cities can boast an extinct volcano at their centre.  Arthur’s Seat is just over 250m and you can see it throughout much of the city.  After a hike up Arthur’s Seat or Calton Hill, another of the city’s iconic features, stunning views of the city can be taken in. 

Nooks and crannies!  

These can be found everywhere and are what make Edinburgh so special. A walk up or down the Royal Mile, into a few pubs steeped in history can lead you down many side alley ways where little hidden gems can be found.  Mercat Tours (factual ghost tours of the city can help you explore these) 

Free stuff to do! 

There’s a huge range of free things to do:  The Scottish National Museum, the Money Museum, and a visit to St Giles Cathedral to name a few.  All of the main attractions are based in the city centre and are all within a 20 minute walk of SCH. 

Princes Street 

Princes Street is a fantastic shopping street and runs at the opposite side of Waverley Train Station to the Royal Mile.  Parallel to this is Rose Street, a fabulous street for one off kitchens and restaurants.  Edinburgh does food and drink really well! 

Central location for touring Scotland 

Many day tours by Haggis Adventures to Loch Ness or Skye for example, leave from the top of our street in Edinburgh and are a great day out.  Smart City Hostel is a great location and base for these.