Scotland’s Alternative New Year’s Eve

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations are legendary worldwide. This one of a kind New Year’s Eve festival canvasses most of the city in concerts, street parties, and dramatic firework crescendos – but it’s not the only way to spend New Year’s Eve in Scotland. ‘Hogmanay’ is the Scottish word for the celebration of the end of the year, with origins reaching back to wild Viking parties of the winter solstice. It’s a landmark night across the country, with a warm welcome guaranteed at any event, regardless of its size or noise output. So check out our list of alternative ways to spend New Year’s Eve in Scotland with Leonardo Hotels.

Bogbain Farm

 
(Image by Vicky Brock - CC BY-SA 2.0)

Just a 5-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel InvernessTo really see what Hogmanay is all about, get tickets to Bogmanay Max for you and your partner or a group of friends. Join in with the ceilidh dancing to a live folk band and tuck in to an incredible three-course meal, with complementary burgers provided after the countdown. This year, Bogbain farm will host BBC Scotland’s own Bruce MacGregor and a performance from the Blazin Fiddles.

This is a wildly popular event, so book ahead to avoid disappointment. Tickets start from £27.50. The event is open to anyone 18+ and it will run between 7pm – 2am.


Calton Hill

 

Just a 15-minute walk from Leonardo Royal Hotel EdinburghAvoid the Hogmanay crowds in Edinburgh this year with an insider’s tip on an alternative way to see in the bells. Head up to one of Edinburgh’s seven hills for a spectacular view of the city’s fireworks. You won’t be alone. Plenty of locals head up the hills for a spectacular aerial view of the festivities. It’s a cracking atmosphere, and best of all, it’s completely free. You can take the whole family or simply escape with your partner for a cosy midnight picnic that you’ll never forget.


Northern Meeting Park

 

Just a 10-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel InvernessTake a trip to the capital of the Highlands for the biggest free New Year’s Eve celebration in all Scotland. The Red Hot Highland Fling has been lighting up Northern Meeting Park in Inverness for going on six years now, with fireworks, live music and comedy suitable for the whole family.

This year the event will be hosted by comedian Craig Hill, with traditional bands Ho Ro, Skippinish, and Skerryvore playing between 8pm – 12:30am. The climax is an incredible firework show over Inverness Cathedral at midnight. It’s an unforgettable way to close out the year.

O2 ABC

 
(Image via wide-eyedentertainment )

Just an 8-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel GlasgowCelebrate New Year’s Eve in style with a final performance from Glasgow’s own Club Noir. This saucy cabaret and burlesque show is a mammoth event with a massive roster of performers and DJs. Party the night away in a tuxedo or ball gown with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience this remarkable, bohemian night-out.

Party-goers must be 18+ and tickets are £22. The event will run from 9pm – 4am. Soak up those celebrations and support your drunken resolution with a next-day health kick, as you’ll be primly placed in easy reaching distance of one of the best veggie restaurants in the UK.


Stonehaven

 
(Image via stonehavenfireballs)

A 30-minute drive from Leonardo Hotel AberdeenStonehaven’s fireballs parade is an open event for the whole family; a spectacular procession of fire-wielders that has been celebrated for over a century. While winter fire festivals are common worldwide, the Scottish add their own unique flair which makes each one a thrilling yet magical occasion. Watch as a piper leads the parade of locals swinging their own flaming wire cages around their bodies and overhead. There’s no better way to warm up on December 31^st.

The event starts at 12am and lasts roughly half an hour.


Tivoli Theatre

 
(Image by Ken Taylor via thestage)

Just a 13-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel AberdeenIf you really want to get a taste for Scottish tradition this New Year’s Eve then head down to the Tivoli Theatre for the Hogmanay Show; a night of classic Scottish music, dance and comedy. The event is recommended for teens and upwards, so it’s ideal for anyone looking for a more mature way to bring in the new year.

Tickets are priced at £27.50 and doors open at 7pm.


Waxy O’Connor’s

 
(Image via drinkadvisor)

Just a 10-minute walk from Leonardo Hotel GlasgowThere’re plenty of bars in Glasgow where you can see in the bells, but there’s only one where you can do it with a late-night buffet and an air guitar competition. Waxy’s Rock Lock-In is back for its 9^th year running with prizes and giveaways, and DJs Tom Russel and Ted Rock rolling back the clock for a classic rock ‘n’ roll party set in a one-of-a-kind bar that you’ll be more than happy to get locked into.

This party event is naturally 18+, with tickets starting from £10. The gig begins at 7pm and will run until around 2am.

That’s all from Leonardo Hotels for now. We hope you’ll find something there to your liking, and we look forward to seeing you at one of our hotels where our staff will be happy to offer you plenty of other ways to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Scotland.