On the first day of every year a brave few hundred people throw themselves into the freezing cold water of the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry, just a few miles out of the Scottish capital. Some claim that the shock to the system of the so-called Loony Dook is the perfect hangover cure after the excesses of the huge Hogmanay street party in Edinburgh of the night before. With the skirl of bagpipes urging them on, the crowd of humanity makes a mad dash into the watter and (most of them) quickly retreat back to the bar. Some stay in much longer - up to half an hour.

The Dook takes place at the boat house steps in South Queensferry on 1st January. Participants meet in the morning at the Moorings Pub before a piped march through Queensferry for the dook around midday.

2008 marks the 22nd Dook in succession.

More info: Loony Dook.