Tonight the historic streets at the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town flowed with a flaming river of light as 40,000 people gathered for the magical Torchlight Procession in partnership with VisitScotland, providing a spectacular start to Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
At Holyrood Park where the procession culminated, torchbearers made the shape of two people reaching out a hand in friendship representing the theme of this year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Be Together. The scene was captured from a helicopter overhead creating an image to be shared with the world – a message of welcome and friendship from Scotland.
Leading the procession down the Royal Mile and into Holyrood Park, a 40 strong cast from Scotland’s pioneering Celtic Fire Theatre company, PyroCeltica showcased a dazzling array of fire skills featuring fire fans, huge flaming claymores, fire staffs and a stunning fiery Mohican, set to the booming beats of Edinburgh’s Harbinger Drum Crew whose flaming drums heightened the drama!
The Bigger RBL (Royal British Legion) Pipe Band, Cockenzie & Port Seton RBL Pipes & Drums, Scottish Borders Pipe Band, The Edinburgh Samba School, Hawick Scout Pipe Band, Boghall and Bathgate Caledonia Pipe Band, Glencorse Pipe Band, Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band, Edinburgh Postal Pipe Band and Pulse of the Place brought a range of traditional and contemporary styles to keep the procession moving to an eclectic Scottish beat.
In Holyrood Park the event’s house band, The Torches, and guest artists Clanadonia entertained until the crowning glory of the fireworks lifted from Calton Hill framing the Edinburgh skyline.
50p from each ticket is donated to OneCity Trust which tonight raised over £9,400 for their work in Edinburgh fighting social exclusion.
Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, directors of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay said:
The sold-out Torchlight Procession was Edinburgh’s Hogmanay’s iconic opening event. A moment in the year when thousands of people came together at the start of Hogmanay to celebrate the end of the year and extend a hand of friendship physically in the flaming symbol created in Holyrood Park and metaphorically to their friends and neighbours. An image to be proud of, of warmth, welcome and friendship set against the beautiful backdrop of Edinburgh.