The City of Edinburgh Council and Unique Events, the producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, hailed last night's festivities a major success, after an estimated 75,000 revellers celebrated the New Year at the Street Party, Concert in the Gardens and The Keilidh.
Police reported that partygoers were generally very good-natured and waited patiently as police and stewards checked their tickets and bags at the entrance gates. There were only four arrests for minor disorder.
The midnight fireworks were choreographed to music for the first time, featuring a mix of four tracks from contemporary Scottish artists who have played at Edinburgh's Hogmanay in the last 20 years: Calvin Harris, Feel so close; Primal Scream, Get your rocks off; Peatbog Faeries, The Folk Police; and Biffo Clyro, Bubbles.
Simple Minds were joined by The View and Bwani Junction for the sell-out Concert in the Gardens.
Among the other highlights at the "world famous" Street Party were The Maccabees and OK Social Club while, on the Scottish Stage, revellers were entertained by Lau, Shooglelnifty and Admiral Fallow.
For the first time this year revellers throughout the Street Party were all dancing to the same tune, as REW1ND3R: The Biggest Party... in years relayed the floor fillers and best-selling songs from 50 years of pop through screens and sound systems the length of Princes Street.
The Keilidh saw around 2,750 revellers enjoying Scottish roots artists including Hugh McDiarmid’s Haircut, Brechin City Rollers and Ceilidhdonia as well as having fun on the Edinburgh Wheel and New Year Carnival.
Edinburgh's Festival and Events Champion Councillor Steve Cardownie said: “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations have long been the envy of cities across the globe and it was only right that tonight, in our twentieth year, we laid on one our finest artist line-ups yet.
“It has been a truly fantastic event, bringing together 75,000 good-natured and enthusiastic revellers from all over the world to see in the bells in the heart of Scotland’s Capital.”
Pete Irvine, Director, Unique Events said: "What a way to celebrate 20 years of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and to welcome 2013 with great style. REW1ND3R got the entire street party rocking, and once again we have shown that Edinburgh is the true home of Hogmanay.”
The big clean-up began at around 3am, after the celebrations ended with Council staff from Services for Communities tackling 60 to 75 tonnes ofplastic bottles, food cartons, clothing, glass, and other refuse.
The party goes on
The final day of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay continues today with the Loony Dook – the annual New Year’s Day dip in the River Forth in South Queensferry and two returning New Year’s day events – The New Year’s Day Triathlon and Dogmanay.
Revellers will also be taking part in Your Lucky Day, a game starting at the National Museum of Scotland, where revellers throw the dice to decide their next destination to theatre, spoken word, or musical performances around the Old Town.