Viking-led Torchlight Parade Highlights Edinburgh's New Year Celebrations
The city of Edinburgh is gearing up for a grand celebration as the iconic Hogmanay Torchlight Procession returns for its 30th anniversary year, scheduled from December 29, 2024, to January 1, 2025. This annual spectacle, a key part of Edinburgh's New Year celebrations, invites participants to walk through the city carrying torches, creating a mesmerising display of light and unity.
The procession, which links the days just before New Year to the New Year itself, attracts a huge volume of people. Thousands of locals and visitors participate, holding flaming torches, while a large number of onlookers gather to witness this memorable event.
The procession traditionally starts at the Meadows and progresses towards Edinburgh Castle. In the past, it has seen record-breaking numbers, with over 40,000 participants in some years. The route descends the hill towards the spectacularly lit Princes Street Gardens, with piping bands and drummers adding to the festive atmosphere.
The procession is led by a group of Vikings from the Shetland Islands, a nod to Edinburgh's rich history. In 2023, the procession set off from the Royal Mile and made its way down to Princes Street, with over 10,000 participants holding flaming torches.
The Hogmanay celebration in Edinburgh is a three-day city-wide festival, with the Torchlight Procession being one of its central highlights alongside concerts and fireworks. It is a family-friendly event that offers an unforgettable experience, as participants walk through historic parts of Edinburgh, such as the Meadows and the Royal Mile, ending at Edinburgh Castle.
The Hogmanay Torchlight Procession was re-launched in 2023 after being cancelled between 2020-2022 due to the pandemic and lack of funding. The event is supported by several organisations, including Edinburgh's Hogmanay, ETAG, The Scottish Government, VisitScotland, Festivals Edinburgh, Marketing Edinburgh, Arnold Clarke Van and Car Hire, Rabbies Tours, and co-creators Haggis Adventures.
As of the time of writing, there is no update as to whether the procession will return in 2024. However, the public is advised to check the Hogmanay website for the latest information about the procession.
The author of this article was part of the #blogmanay team and was positioned near the Vikings leading the procession in 2023. The article contains some of the author's favorite shots from the 2023 Hogmanay Torchlight Procession.
Please note that the author earns a small commission from affiliate links on the site, but this does not affect the cost to the reader.
References:
- Edinburgh's Hogmanay
- Edinburgh's Hogmanay Torchlight Procession
- VisitScotland
- The Scotsman
- The Guardian
In the spirit of the upcoming celebration, one might embark on adventure-filled home-and-garden tours showcasing the enchanting landscape transformed by the annual Hogmanay Torchlight Procession in Edinburgh. As the event unfolds, visitors can immerse themselves in the festive lifestyle throughout the city, particularly during concerts and firework displays, making it a captivating home-and-garden and tours experience.
