Police break up Hogmanay gatherings at Edinburgh landmarks

Police dealt with revellers gathering at Edinburgh Castle to see in the new year despite warnings to stay at home amid rising coronavirus cases.

The traditional street party and midnight fireworks in the city were cancelled, but some people still headed to the castle and Calton Hill to bring in the bells.

All of mainland Scotland is in the highest tier of Covid-19 restrictions, banning indoor visiting and more than six people from two households meeting outdoors.

Police Scotland warned people in advance against Hogmanay gatherings which could break current restrictions and potentially spread the virus further, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon urged Scots to mark the end of 2020 at home.

A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: “We were aware of gatherings at Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill around midnight on Hogmanay.

“Officers safely engaged with those in attendance and explained the current Government regulations, resulting in the groups dispersing without incident.”

Last year’s Hogmanay street party had around 100,000 visitors, with live performances from Idlewild and Mark Ronson in Princes Street Gardens.

To mark the start of 2021, the organisers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay instead released “drone swarm” videos.

The series of videos, titled Fare Well, featured a swarm of 150 illuminated drones which formed symbols and animals in a “beautiful ode to Scotland”.

Each video was narrated by actor David Tennant and included verses written by Scotland’s official poet, makar Jackie Kay.

While they appeared to be flying above landmarks like Edinburgh Castle, the drones were flown elsewhere before being edited into other footage.

The third and final of the Fare Well series was released on Thursday, after the initial video showed the drones in Highland landscapes.

Underbelly, the producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said it was the largest drone show ever produced in the UK.

The drones were flown in the Highlands before being “placed into shots separately filmed around Edinburgh” due to coronavirus restrictions, they said.

Director Charlie Wood said: “With 2020 being the year it has been, we want to ring out the old year and hurry in the new year, with a message of hope at a world-class event.

“Hope will be the universal message of the turn of the year, and ours will be no exception – Edinburgh’s Hogmanay’s mission is to sing it from the roof tops with a creatively-led and proudly Scottish celebration.

“We’re grateful to our creative team and to the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland, the Scottish Government and Creative Scotland who have supported us to create a unique and special moment for people around the world.”

While there were no midnight fireworks at Edinburgh Castle, a display was held at the Wallace Monument in Stirling.

These were televised on the BBC’s Hogmanay 2020 show in Scotland, which attracted an audience of 1.5 million at midnight – its highest figure since 2011.

Steve Carson, BBC Scotland director, said: “A combined 1.5 million audience and 72% share at the bells for BBC One Scotland and the BBC Scotland channel is fantastic.”