• Celtic Fire Theatre company PyroCeltica perform ahead of the torchlight procession on the Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh. Getty
    Celtic Fire Theatre company PyroCeltica perform ahead of the torchlight procession on the Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh. Getty
  • Hogmanay brought over 150,000 visitors from all over the world to Edinburgh on Sunday. Getty
    Hogmanay brought over 150,000 visitors from all over the world to Edinburgh on Sunday. Getty
  • A member of PyroCeltica brandishes a flaming sword ahead of the torchlight procession. Getty
    A member of PyroCeltica brandishes a flaming sword ahead of the torchlight procession. Getty
  • The new year celebrations run over three days. Getty
    The new year celebrations run over three days. Getty
  • Three members of PyroCeltica perform at the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
    Three members of PyroCeltica perform at the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
  • Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession. Reuters
    Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession. Reuters
  • Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession. Reuters
    Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession. Reuters
  • Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, December 30, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
    Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, December 30, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
  • EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 30: Celtic Fire Theatre company, PyroCeltica lead the torchlight procession down the Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations on December 30, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is expected to bring in excess of 150,000 visitors from all over the world to the city for the traditional New Year celebrations, which run over three days.(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
    EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 30: Celtic Fire Theatre company, PyroCeltica lead the torchlight procession down the Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations on December 30, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is expected to bring in excess of 150,000 visitors from all over the world to the city for the traditional New Year celebrations, which run over three days.(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
  • Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
    Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
  • Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
    Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
  • Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
    Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty
  • Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. PA/AP
    Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. PA/AP

Europe

In pictures: Hogmanay kicks off with flames in Edinburgh

Thousands have taken to the streets for the Scottish celebrations.

The National

December 31, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

The Scottish new year celebration of Hogmanay has kicked off in Edinburgh with a spectacular torchlight procession.

The procession along the city's Royal Mile marked the official start of the annual tradition and sees bagpipes, dances and fire-laden activities taking place in the streets.

Scots are given the first two days of the year as a public holiday, and celebrations officially close with the Message from the Skies celebration on 25 January.

This year's Hogmanay celebrations will mark ties between Scotland and Europe, as the March deadline for Brexit looms. Organisers have reported a boost in ticket sales from EU nations for this year's celebration.

As well as making a nod to Europe in the procession theme, young people were also included as part of the 2018 Year of the Young People. Fourteen wicker sculptures, designed by young people, adorned the procession route, and others played instruments, danced and took part in other festivities.

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