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Have you booked that trip for New Year's Eve yet? Please don't tell me you're just going to do the standard hanging out with family and friends at home? Why don't you just bite the bullet and travel to some place you have never been?. I know of a brilliant place for a New Year's Eve celebration. That place is Edinburgh in Scotland. So what happens there I hear you ask? It is home of the annual Scottish New Year's festival, Hogmanay. I am hear to tell you that Hogmanay is a fantastic experience and a must-do for everyone on New Year's Eve. Whether it is the people, the food or the party itself, if you just get off your butt and book a trip there you will have a brilliant time. Did I tell you that the word Hogmanay means the "last day of the year" in Scottish? Well I guess not, but anyway, Edinburgh is easily one of the best places to welcome in the New Year. Personally I think it is not only the best in the UK but easily the best in the world.
So what is the origin of this Hogmanay festival I hear you ask? Well some historians say that the Vikings actually invented the Hogmanay celebrations because the actual eve of New Year was an important event to the vikings. So I guess it was only natural that they would want to celebrate with a big shindig on New Year's Eve! What about the word Hogmanay, where is that from? Well some say Flemish, some say Scandinavian, some people even say it is Anglo-Saxon. Well I have got no idea, I just know that it is a wicked party.
I have been to Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay for the New Year and I can confidently say it is the best festival I have ever been to. The fireworks in the night skies, the dancing and the music among other things, make the atmosphere in Edinburgh for Hogmanay simply electric. Im not kidding, but when I was at Hogmanay for New Year's Eve I felt I was on a different planet and just wanted the party to continue forever. I am here to tell you that there was a truckload of people in the main Edinburgh Centre close to midnight. Someone told me there was over 250,000 partygoers from all around the world there. My Aussie friend, Mike, and I had the biggest New Year's Eve nights of our lives at Hogmanay.
So have I convinced you yet? You're worried you wont get accommodation? Well you don't need to worry too much, just take my advice and book as early as you can. Even though there are plenty of accommodation options in Edinburgh, particularly affordable hotels and hostels, it is always a good idea to remember to book early as you can to make sure you get the best prices. Mike and I got a wicked deal at this flash 5 Star Hotel, called the Sheraton Grand Hotel. It was really central and located not far from the famous Edinburgh Castle, which is pretty much in the middle of the town. But not everyone can afford 5 star I know, but hey we only got that deal because we planned ahead and booked early for the full 4 nights. So that is more of a recommendation for you to get into and book ASAP. I can highly recommend the Sheraton Grand Hotel, it was just a fantastic place to stay. The services were amazing and the staff super enthusiastic for the New Year. This helped us have an amazing time for the 4 day Hogmanay festival.
Mike and I tried plenty of traditional Scottish foods whilst we were at Hogmanay. The cold night means that the food should be served hot and we even gave the Haggis a run. It wasn't for me, but Mike went back for seconds. Maybe just give it a go for yourself and see what you think. If you like sweets I actually had some of the best shortbread I have ever had. There was plenty of different drinks on offer at Hogmanay, but of course Scotch whisky is the drink of Scotland. You know what they say, "When In Rome"! But hey, Scotch is not only enjoyed in Scotland but across the world. I actually think Scotch is my new favourite drink! I just love really good Scotch, the taste is incredible.
We noticed plenty of tours groups at Hogmanay, so if you're looking at travelling with a whole group of people then you should check out some of these companies that organise Hogmanay tours. Travelling as a group can be the best experience ever if that is you're thing, but Mike and I decided we would just book everything ourselves and go it alone.
There was plenty of things happening at Hogmanay, but there is nothing like singing Auld Lang Syne at midnight in the country where the song originated. It really was an amazing experience.
Hogmanay offers a magic way for you to kick in the New Year in style. You definitely will not regret it.
So what is the origin of this Hogmanay festival I hear you ask? Well some historians say that the Vikings actually invented the Hogmanay celebrations because the actual eve of New Year was an important event to the vikings. So I guess it was only natural that they would want to celebrate with a big shindig on New Year's Eve! What about the word Hogmanay, where is that from? Well some say Flemish, some say Scandinavian, some people even say it is Anglo-Saxon. Well I have got no idea, I just know that it is a wicked party.
I have been to Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay for the New Year and I can confidently say it is the best festival I have ever been to. The fireworks in the night skies, the dancing and the music among other things, make the atmosphere in Edinburgh for Hogmanay simply electric. Im not kidding, but when I was at Hogmanay for New Year's Eve I felt I was on a different planet and just wanted the party to continue forever. I am here to tell you that there was a truckload of people in the main Edinburgh Centre close to midnight. Someone told me there was over 250,000 partygoers from all around the world there. My Aussie friend, Mike, and I had the biggest New Year's Eve nights of our lives at Hogmanay.
So have I convinced you yet? You're worried you wont get accommodation? Well you don't need to worry too much, just take my advice and book as early as you can. Even though there are plenty of accommodation options in Edinburgh, particularly affordable hotels and hostels, it is always a good idea to remember to book early as you can to make sure you get the best prices. Mike and I got a wicked deal at this flash 5 Star Hotel, called the Sheraton Grand Hotel. It was really central and located not far from the famous Edinburgh Castle, which is pretty much in the middle of the town. But not everyone can afford 5 star I know, but hey we only got that deal because we planned ahead and booked early for the full 4 nights. So that is more of a recommendation for you to get into and book ASAP. I can highly recommend the Sheraton Grand Hotel, it was just a fantastic place to stay. The services were amazing and the staff super enthusiastic for the New Year. This helped us have an amazing time for the 4 day Hogmanay festival.
Mike and I tried plenty of traditional Scottish foods whilst we were at Hogmanay. The cold night means that the food should be served hot and we even gave the Haggis a run. It wasn't for me, but Mike went back for seconds. Maybe just give it a go for yourself and see what you think. If you like sweets I actually had some of the best shortbread I have ever had. There was plenty of different drinks on offer at Hogmanay, but of course Scotch whisky is the drink of Scotland. You know what they say, "When In Rome"! But hey, Scotch is not only enjoyed in Scotland but across the world. I actually think Scotch is my new favourite drink! I just love really good Scotch, the taste is incredible.
We noticed plenty of tours groups at Hogmanay, so if you're looking at travelling with a whole group of people then you should check out some of these companies that organise Hogmanay tours. Travelling as a group can be the best experience ever if that is you're thing, but Mike and I decided we would just book everything ourselves and go it alone.
There was plenty of things happening at Hogmanay, but there is nothing like singing Auld Lang Syne at midnight in the country where the song originated. It really was an amazing experience.
Hogmanay offers a magic way for you to kick in the New Year in style. You definitely will not regret it.
About the Author:
For an extensive array of information and advice for New Year's Eve in Edinburgh for Hogmanay, including travel options, travel tips, party spots and other activities you should contact the events and festival travel specialists, FOMO Travel.