Details revealed for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay opening event

Reminiscent of the ancient customs of Hogmanay in Scotland hundreds of years ago when festivities would include the lighting of bonfires, rolling blazing tar barrels down hills and tossing torches, fire has long been considered a symbol of rebirth and new beginnings and is at the heart of the opening of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations.

At Holyrood Park where the procession culminates, torchbearers will make the shape of two people reaching out a hand in friendship representing the theme of this year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Be Together. The image will be captured from the air creating an image to be shared with the world – Scotland’s message of welcome and friendship against the backdrop of its capital city.

Leading the procession from just East of St Giles’ Cathedral down the Royal Mile and into Holyrood Park, is a 40 strong cast from Scotland’s pioneering Celtic Fire Theatre company, PyroCeltica who’s Highland Warriors showcase a dazzling array of fire skills featuring fire fans, huge flaming claymores and fire staffs, set to the booming beats of Edinburgh’s Harbinger Drum Crew.

There are still some tickets available to join the families, friends, residents and visitors and to take part in the procession joining pipe, drum and dance bands from across Scotland, including Biggar RBL (Royal British Legion) Pipe Band, Cockenzie & Port Seton RBL Pipes & Drums, Scottish Borders Pipe Band, The Edinburgh Samba School, Hawick Scout Pipe Band, Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, Glencorse Pipe Band, Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band, Edinburgh Postal Pipe Band and Pulse of the Place bringing a range of traditional and contemporary styles to keep the procession moving to an eclectic Scottish beat.

The event’s house band, The Torches, and guest artists Clanadonia whose music features in Outlander and who have played major events from T in the Park to the Opening Ceremony of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, will then take to the stage in Holyrood Park to entertain everybody until the event comes to a finish with sparkling fireworks lifting from Calton Hill at 9pm.

Through initiating and funding various projects in Edinburgh, the Trust aims to fight social exclusion in the Scottish capital. Only last year, 50p donations from tickets to the Torchlight Procession and Silent Light at Edinburgh’s Christmas raised a total of almost £30,000 for OneCity Trust.

The Torchlight Procession is being delivered in partnership with VisitScotland and its EventScotland team, who have been a long-term supporter of the event, which this year is estimated to attract 40,000 people to take part.

“The culmination will be thousands of people forming the image of two people reaching out their hands in friendship. An image to be proud of, of warmth, welcome and friendship set against the beautiful backdrop of Edinburgh.

“We’re expecting tens of thousands on the procession with each person taking part contributing to the work of Edinburgh’s OneCity Trust. We look forward to welcoming everyone to the opening of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations.”

It’s a real privilege to lead the 40,000-strong procession along the Royal Mile to the beat of pipes and drums, ending with a fireworks finale in Holyrood Park.  Last year’s event resulted in an incredible donation of £30,000 to the OneCity Trust and I’m hoping we can look forward to even more funds being raised this winter.”

“Scotland is the perfect stage for events and the Torchlight Processions offers both locals and visitors the chance to take part in a uniquely Scottish tradition that also marks the start of the global New Year celebrations. It is truly a spectacle not to be missed.”