Scotland’s flagship Hogmanay celebrations has been cancelled due to high winds and bad weather forecast for the next few days. Edinburgh’s popular street party has been axed amid a series of weather warnings being in place until Thursday for rain, snow, ice and damaging winds gusting to 70mph.
Edinburgh City Council confirmed on Monday that all of its outdoor events would not be going ahead due to the forecasts which have also brought trains to a halt in some parts of the country. It will be a washout north of the border until later on in the week, with first footers also facing hellish weather.
More than 50,000 revellers were expected to descend on the city centre for the Hogmanay Street Party and Concert in the Gardens, which was set to feature rock icons Texas for the fourth time as well as special guest Callum Beattie. The midnight firework display was also axed, with entire event being televised to a global audience of over one billion people.
A spokeswoman for the local authority said: “Due to ongoing high winds and inclement weather in Edinburgh city centre, we regret to announce that outdoor events scheduled for tonight (30th Dec) and the 31st December are unable to go ahead on the grounds of public safety.
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“The cancellation includes tonight’s Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens, and on the 31st December, the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens, and the Midnight Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle. We have unfortunately been unable to continue with preparations and necessary set-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor events due to extreme weather and forecast conditions.
“Therefore, for safety reasons we, along with our event partners, have taken the difficult decision to cancel all outdoor events. We know that this will be hugely disappointing to all hoping to celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh and that people travel from around the world to be here at the Home of Hogmanay. Customer Service from point of purchase will be in touch with ticketholders directly with further instructions regarding refunds in due course.”
All indoor events will still take place as planned in Edinburgh, including Swamplesque at Assembly Rooms, Idlewild in the same venue. The Bairns New Year Revels and New Year Revels will also still happen, as will the sold-out Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral.
Revellers wear Jarvis Cocker masks ahead of Pulp playing at the New Year Hogmanay Street Party and Concert celebrations in Edinburgh in 2023
First Footin and Sprogmanay will take place on New Year’s Day which are a series of free and ticketed indoor music gigs across the city centre, Leith and Portobello. Council leader Jane Meagher said: “I know that, like me, many people will be very disappointed. This decision was not taken lightly, however with the ongoing adverse weather condition, public safety must be our number one priority.
“You’ll see from the programme that there are lots of exciting indoor events taking place. For those coming along to them – I know you’re in for a treat and will have a great time. Please make sure you stay up-to-date with the weather and transport on social media.”
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Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Police Scotland Gold Commander for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “Cancelling such an event is a difficult decision for the organisers, but public safety takes priority, so we fully support this decision.”
Already the opening event in Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations – the torchlight procession – was axed at the last minute on Sunday due to strong winds. Organisers have been locked in talks all day on Monday before deciding that it was unsafe to go ahead with the events.
John Swinney confirmed that the Scottish Government were convening a special meeting to discuss how best to deal with the extreme weather forecast in the next few days.
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