Scottish New Year Packages in Edinburgh

In Scotland, you’ll find that most of the locals refer to New Year’s Eve as “Hogmanay”. This word means the "last day of the year" in the language of Scots.

Meanwhile, “New Year’s Eve” in Scottish Gaelic translates as “Oidhche Challainn”. And if you’re travelling in the Highlands or islands at this time of year, you might hear the locals wishing each other a “Happy New Year” by saying “Bliadhna Mhath Ùr”.

“Hogmanay” (New Year’s Eve) is what Scottish people call the celebrations that take place on 31 December. Check out the answers to questions 4 and 5 to find out how you can join in with the seasonal festivities on a Scottish winter break.

Hogmanay is met with so much enthusiasm in Scotland partly because celebrating Christmas was banned in the 1600s. At the time, the country’s rulers were Protestant, and they viewed the religious festivities as too “Papist”.

So for a while, Christmas became a quiet affair, often observed behind closed doors. These subdued celebrations meant that New Year’s Eve took on even more importance for the Scots. In fact, it became the main social event in winter.

Even now, Hogmanay holds the same (if not more!) significance as Christmas to many Scots. It’s a time to gather with loved ones, reminisce about the past and bring in the New Year by feasting and dancing the night away.

Many modern Hogmanay traditions trace their roots back to the time when the Vikings lived in Scotland, from the 8th to 15th centuries. Or further back still, to the Neolithic period when Celtic Paganism was common.

Both of these cultures marked the shortest day of the year – 21 December – with festivals and feasting. The idea was that these celebrations would bring the return of the sun after the winter solstice.

If you visit Scotland in December for New Year’s, you might experience these Hogmanay customs:

• • Watching a community fireworks display
• • Attending a festival of light or following a torchlight procession
• • Going to a “ceilidh”, a lively gathering with traditional Scottish dancing
• • Counting down to midnight at a local street party with feasting and dancing
• • Clinking whisky glasses and kissing your loved ones to toast the New Year
• • Singing the iconic Scots poem Auld Lang Syne as you join hands with those around you
   

Another popular New Year’s Eve tradition in Scotland is known as “first-footing”. This is when Scots visit their nearest and dearest after midnight, bringing gifts of food and drink. In the past, people also brought coal for fuel and salt for good luck.

While New Year’s Eve is the main event, the following day, New Year’s Day, has its own traditions.

Some people will take a wintry walk or a bracing swim as a way to cast out the old and welcome in the new. Afterwards, many will share a meal with their close friends and family. You could join in with this tradition by eating steak pie – the nation’s preferred dish for the occasion.

To find out more about local traditions around this time of year, you can read this blog about how the Scots celebrate Christmas. 

Although the New Year’s Eve festivities tend to be similar across the country, different places in Scotland do have their own take on the seasonal celebrations. That said, many involve all or some of the Hogmanay traditions mentioned already, but with their own regional twist.

If you’re staying in the capital, you can join Edinburgh’s Hogmanay street party to ring in the New Year in style. It’s one of the largest parties of its kind in the world!

Elsewhere in Scotland some of the stand-out ways to mark the occasion include:

• • Stonehaven’s breathtaking Fireball Festival, where a bagpiper leads a parade of people swinging flaming balls through the village.
• • A village ceilidh in Dufftown, followed by shortbread and whisky from a local Speyside distillery shared with neighbours in the square.
• • The country’s biggest free New Year celebration, complete with bands and fireworks in the Highland capital of Inverness.
   

While Stonehaven, Dufftown and Inverness aren’t reachable on a day trip from Edinburgh, you could visit them on a Scotland self-drive tour.

To find out more, read this guide to celebrating Hogmanay in Scotland.

Your multi-day Hogmanay package gives you time to discover Edinburgh on your own, but it also includes guided activities and excursions. Along with an expert-led day trip to the Highlands from the city, you will:

• • Take a guided group tour of the Royal Mile (including entry to Edinburgh Castle)
• • Enjoy a quintessential afternoon tea on the Fingal ship, a luxury floating hotel
• • Immerse yourself in New Year’s Eve glamour at the Snow Ball in Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms
   

There are plenty of other things to see and do in Edinburgh at this time of year. In fact, Hogmanay is one of the biggest Scottish festivals, meaning there’s lots going on in the city. You could:

• • Follow the torchlight procession down the Royal Mile on 30 December
• • Watch the fireworks being let off from the castle at midnight on New Year’s Eve
• • Sing Auld Lang Syne with the locals at Edinburgh’s famous street party
   

You can also read this blog for more ideas on what to do in Edinburgh.

Scotland is renowned for its hearty cuisine and local delicacies, such as haggis. But head to Scotland’s cities and you’ll uncover a varied food scene. In fact, visit Edinburgh in particular, and you’ll be spoiled for choice.

What’s more, alongside breakfast each morning your New Year’s Eve multi-day tour package includes a couple of memorable dining experiences.

Much like Christmas, food is a big part of the New Year’s Eve celebrations in Scotland. So before you ring in the New Year you’ll enjoy a delicious 3-course meal with wine at a stylish hotel in Edinburgh. Later, get ready to toast the bells, sparkling wine in hand.

Then on New Year’s Day, head to Leith Docks where you’ll find the Fingal ship, a floating luxury hotel. Here you’ll indulge in the distinctly British tradition of afternoon tea. Imagine a decadent take on the usual dainty sandwiches and must-have scones with jam and clotted cream.

For more inspiration, you can check out this blog on the best places to eat on the Outlander Trail. Plus, when you book with Nordic Visitor you’ll get a restaurant guide with handpicked recommendations from local experts.

The city of Edinburgh hosts one of the world’s biggest New Year’s Eve parties, making it the ultimate Scottish destination for Hogmanay breaks.

Alongside the seasonal events and celebrations, you’ll find there are lots of other things to see and do throughout the capital. Just check out this Edinburgh Travel Guide for an overview of the city’s main attractions.

On the other hand, if you’d prefer a country retreat to a bustling city break, then you could escape to the Scottish Highlands. In winter, you can experience Scotland’s countryside, mountains and quaint villages on a Scottish self-drive tour or privately guided trip.

Check out this article for more information on where to go in Scotland during winter.

January 1 and 2 – New Year’s Day and the day after – are public holidays in Scotland. While most attractions and shops will be closed on New Year’s Day, many will reopen the following day, despite it being a holiday. It’s also worth noting that some places may shut earlier than normal on New Year’s Eve.

Even if you’re travelling over these public holidays, you’ll still find plenty to do. For instance, you could take a wintry walk in the countryside or along the pretty city streets. Then, why not treat yourself to afternoon tea or enjoy a delicious New Year’s Day dinner cooked for you? One of the local favourites at New Year is steak pie.

Restaurants tend to be open over Christmas and New Year. And because dining out is a popular choice throughout the festive period, we advise booking your meals well in advance. You’ll find restaurant recommendations and more in-depth information in your personalised travel documents.

To find out exact opening times at this time of year, it’s best to check the websites for attractions, cafés, restaurants and shops.

Absolutely, you can make your Hogmanay trip to Scotland unique to you by adding expert-led activities or extra nights.

For instance, you could enjoy a guided tasting at Edinburgh’s award-winning Scotch Whisky Experience. Or explore the city’s underground vaults with a local tour guide.

You might also like to simplify your travel arrangements by asking your dedicated travel consultant to arrange private transfers from either Glasgow or Edinburgh airports. Or why not treat yourself by upgrading to superior standard accommodation in Scotland?

For the ultimate tailored experience, don’t hesitate to mention anything specific to your Edinburgh-based travel expert. They’ll use their insider knowledge to answer any questions you might have and make your Scottish adventure one to remember.

Our special Hogmanay tour just has one exclusive departure date. This falls between Christmas and New Year. So we recommend booking as soon as possible to secure availability for your trip.

You could opt for a Christmas package in Scotland. This way you’ll have a choice of dates from late November until a couple of days before Christmas.

Alternatively, you could go on a self-drive tour of Scotland, with winter itineraries available between November and March. It’s worth noting that departure dates are limited over the festive period – from 23 December to 1 January. So, if you’d like to go on a Scottish road trip at this time of year, we advise getting in touch to ask about availability.

Otherwise, you can find up-to-date availability by checking out the calendar on each tour page.

It’s best to check what flights are available before you book your trip. But we recommend not purchasing them until after your travel consultant has confirmed your itinerary.

Once your tour package is finalised, you can go ahead and make travel plans for getting to and from Scotland.

The weather in Scotland is known for being changeable, particularly in winter. So you’ll want to be prepared for crisp cold days, rain and perhaps even snow.

For your time spent sightseeing in Edinburgh over New Year’s, we recommend bringing:

• • Layers for mild and cool temperatures
• • Weatherproof jacket
• • Casual shoes
• • Smart clothing and shoes for dining out
• • Formal evening-wear for the New Year’s Eve Snow Ball
• • Daybag for carrying your valuables
• • Umbrella
• • UK plug adapter
   

Most of these winter trips include a day trip to the Scottish Highlands, where you’ll want to take short walks to admire your beautiful surroundings. Make sure you’re prepared for Scotland’s unpredictable weather by packing these extra items:

• • Waterproof jacket and trousers
• • Warm, insulated jacket
• • Comfortable and waterproof walking shoes
• • Cosy hat, scarf and gloves
• • Small rucksack for your daily essentials
• • Reusable water bottle
   

To capture your time in Scotland, you might also like to bring:

• • Camera
• • Waterproof camera bag
• • Charging cable and spare batteries
• • Travel tripod
   

For more information and seasonal tips on what to bring, make sure to read this handy Scotland packing guide.

If you’re travelling to Scotland on our exclusive New Year’s Eve tour, then you’ll be attending the glamorous Snow Ball at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms.

So don your festive finest and get ready to ceilidh and party the night away. Think ball gowns and black tie. And don’t forget a warm overcoat so you can step out to admire the fireworks at midnight.