Hogmanay weather ‘more favourable’ but organisers face set-up challenge

The organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival said while the weather looks “more favourable” on New Year’s Eve night, the “challenge” was completing preparations during the expected wind and rain.

The four-day festival, which begins on Sunday evening and ends on January 2 2025, coincides with a Met Office yellow weather warning across much of Scotland on December 30 and 31.

Heavy rain and snow are expected to fall across most of the country on December 30, while New Year’s Eve itself is expected to see heavy winds added to the mix in the southern part of the country.

Hogmanay organisers Unique Assembly said even though Edinburgh was on the “fringe” of the area covered by the weather warning, it still affected their preparations.

Al Thompson, co-festival director for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “It’s still going to affect us in terms of planning, in terms of delivery.

“The evening of December 31 itself, on Hogmanay night, is looking more favourable, so we don’t have any concerns about the night itself.

“But the challenge for us over the next 48 hours is getting everything in place, ready to open our doors at eight o’clock on Hogmanay and get people into the party.”

Mr Thompson explained they had brought forward a lot of their preparation over the last 24 hours, “so that we’re not having to build those or put things in place whilst there’s high winds or heavy rain”.

He continued: “That allows us to get early things in place, so that we’re not having to worry about them on the day.”

He also said they had contingencies and “fallbacks” in place for the day itself, adding: “The events, especially the large outdoor events, are designed in such a way that they are robust to a degree, with whatever weather”.

He continued: “If the weather becomes uncomfortable for the audience, then it’s not necessarily something that we want to happen.

“But the concert in the gardens arena itself is already built so that’s in place. So we just have to maintain that and monitor that over the next 48 hours.

“But it’s ready to be used tomorrow night and on December 31 so it’s an area that’s there, the fireworks are already going in and going into place. So all of those contingencies are kind of happening.”

Mr Thompson also reminded people coming to Hogmanay that “it’s winter in Scotland”, and urged them to dress accordingly.

“Please wrap up warm, dress for the weather. Plan ahead. Make sure you know what we are messaging, what our updates are, before you attend.

“And we will just make sure people are informed about what’s happening with the weather and all events on the days that they are happening.”

This advice was echoed by Police Scotland Chief Superintendent David Robertson.

“It’s a ticketed event first of all, so make sure you’ve got access to your ticket. If you don’t have a ticket, please don’t come, because you won’t get in,” he said.

“Think about how you’ll get here safely, how you’ll get home, and then think about how you’ll manage to look after yourself and others.

“Make sure you’re appropriately dressed if you’re going to consume alcohol, make sure you know your limits, and make sure you think about how you look after your belongings.”