Scotland celebrates the New Year like nowhere else and Edinburgh's own Hogmanay is billed as the biggest and best in the world. Over four or five days from late December until 1 January there is a relentless succession of fun events. The details are announced the month beforehand but they include a torchlit procession from Parliament Square, a keynote Concert in the Gardens with top groups to usher in the New Year, and a spectacular Seven Hills firework display on the stroke of midnight, 31 December on the heights of Edinburgh Castle and six other prominent positions across the city. Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations date back to 1560 when the Protestant Reformation banned many religious festivals so the Scots began to celebrate at non-religious New Year. Edinburgh now mixes traditional with modern performances and appeals to all age groups, with more than 400 artists from 60 countries.

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