This will be a first for me away from Scotland .So I'm planning to make steak pie ,drink whisky etc.

Anyone else miss home at this time and what do you do to compensate?

Slainte

Yes, I always miss home, not that it was Scotland mind you.

We have tomorrow night all planned out. It will be our last here and I want to blast the shittiest year of my life into oblivion, so, we have planned to stake a patch of cobble stone right at the tip of the Opera House, as close to the bridge as you can get so that when those fireworks blast off, the bang will pierce my eardrums!! We did theis the first year we were here and it was fabulous i have to say.
Being somewhat sick this year (both of us) we have decided to take our garden chairs, two enormous umbrellas to shield the sun, a large picnic blanket and a whole days food and drink to keep us going

The car will be parked in our secret place from early morning so i wont have to walk far at the end of it all, so its all systems go

I celebrated new year in Scotland just before moving here. It was just brilliant. The Scots know how to throw a new year party. I think Edinburgh now has the biggest celebrations in the world for New Year.

I hope next year will be better for all of us

Ordered and bought two steak pies from a local Scottish butcher; got a plentiful supply of Macallan and other assorted booze; and arranged for all our local friends to come over at the Bells.

Five of us will be Scots, 1 English and the remainder hyphenated Canadians. It's going to be fun though the 1st will no doubt pass in a pain filled hangover fog.

Happy Hogmanay when it comes.

Same here Madmac (no pies but having a potluck ).

We (ex Aberdonians) are going to our friends house (ex Glaswegians). Other guests include newly emigrated family from Colchester and lots of our Canadian friends.

Party games planned plus a wee compilation of music from Scottish bands and some Scotch and Wry downloaded to watch on TV just before the bells, just like old times.

Lang may yer lum reek

Oh we'll have two Scots from your old stomping ground at Hogmanay. They're from Inverurie. Mind you, they hate Whisky!

Aw ra best.

It's worth trying the liquid hangover preventor. No, not the hair of the dog! Drink as much water as you can before going to bed. It really works because a lot of a headache is dehydration.

A happy New Year to all and a brilliant 2009!

Bev

Crikey, I lived only a 6 miles away in Blackburn.

I usually end up blubbing in front of the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, since this is my last Hogmanay in Aus I think I will give it a miss.

I went to the tattoo a few years ago - it was great!

There is a Miliary Tattoo held every summer in Nova Scotia - haven't been yet but it's on the cards. No chance of getting homesick for bagpipes, tartan, shortbread etc as Nova Scotia feels more Scottish than Scotland most of the time.

The Tattoo in Halifax is well worth the visit. Nothing like the real version I wouldn't imagine but very enjoyable nonetheless. A couple of crap pictures to give you a bit of an idea.

I have heard that Canadians are really proud of their Scottish roots.

Loved Canada by the way, it totally lived up to all the postcards and travel shows I had seen, great place for a holiday, and I will def visit again (will be easier to get to once I am living in the UK).

Last New Year I did the full Scottish dinner - steak pie,turnip,peas in vinegar,tatties - and all in 41 degree heat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Had to do it no matter what the weather.

This is our last New Year here.Not doing anything for Hogmanay but going out for lunch on New Years day with mates which Im looking forwards to more than Hogmanay itself.

We'll be home in just over 4 weeks time!

Lucky you, that is no time at all.

I am picturing you with the sweat dripping off you slogging through the hearty food pearly.

I am going to be blasphemous now and say that I don't really like Scottish food so won't be having anything Scottish to eat.

Now everyone is going to flame me I guess...