New Year's Eve in the Mother Ship

Recently, an English comedian wondered out loud about how Scotland became "New Year's Eve Central". Edinburgh, she said, was the New Year's Eve "Mother Ship". Maybe that's because they started celebrating two days ago and won't finish until rather late, day after tomorrow.

And that's just the "new" New Year. The "old" New Year, on January 11, is still celebrated in some Scottish communities - and that's based on a calendar that was changed in 1660! They call it Hogmanay up there and it lasts and lasts. If you haven't already made plans for Edinburgh, you probably won't get near it. But there are a few other New Year's Celebrations in Scotland including a few dramatic fire festivals, that you just might squeeze into. If not, plan for next year by finding out why New Year's or Hogmanay in Scotland is such a seriously big party.