kittycat1

As there is a lot of blue blood on here could I ask some advice from our wee Scottish bored members. I'm planning on spending New Year's Eve and day in Edinburgh and am looking for a nice hotel- boutique rather than big chain and also recommendations on where to go on New Year's Eve and also Hogmany. I've never been to Edinburgh so would be doing some touristy stuff when sober- where should I go? Also where to avoid, looking for a lively night with good atmosphere and hot Scottish men

Ta all x

Kix

I did this a few years back. The whole of Edinburgh is kind of sealed off, you can't get into a bar for love nor money and trying to get to the gigs in George Street, so I suggest you stay at The George Hotel, then you get "access all areas" as you're a resident. Everyone drinks from Sprite bottles there too - as alcohol is not allowed.... (sounds familiar).

I personally wouldn't do it again, but it's been ticked off on my bucket list.

shiva

cant help sorry, every Scot i know stays well the **** away from Edinburgh on hogmanay!

http://www.rampantscotland.com/know/blknow12.htm

kittycat1

I thought hogmany was new years day? anyway thank you for clearing that up

commander

Sweet Jesus, bloody English.

Agree with shiva. Edinburgh city centre on Hogmany is an avoid at all costs location unless you are a 19 year old ned.

As kix suggested, I would look for a hotel that has a function included in the price and set your stall out there. Forget about doing a pub crawl. It will be rammed full and no doubt pissing down with rain.

the_red_sheep

Ignore the old miseries. Edinburgh is fun on Hogmanay (Hogmanay is New Year’s night 31st into the 1st), there will be lots of tourists and lots of drunkenness (the good kind and the bad kind), embrace it and go with the flow and it’s a good laugh, worth doing at least once.

Offically or unofficially you might still be able to get tickets for the street party on Princes St and Princes St gardens where there’s a stage with several bands playing (can’t remember who this year, but Google will help you). There are also another couple of stages dotted about the city centre, one with smaller bands and one more traditional/folky music – again Google is your friend . There are circa 80,000 people at the street party and it can be chaotic, but if you go in the right spirit(s) it’s a good experience. Make sure and take at least one hip flask with you.

If you don’t fancy that, look for a function in a hotel, a ceilidh or book a restaurant and then tickets to a bar and/or club – go mid to high end for the bar/club would be my advice, unless you’re looking for gritty Scottish drinking! I’ve not been out in Edinburgh for a while so out of touch with where’s ‘happening’ these days. Wandering about without a plan and trying to get in anywhere will be a waste of time.

New Year’s day will be very quiet, most tourist attractions/shops etc will be closed. The 2nd Jan is also a public holiday on Scotland so not everything may be open and operating as usual.

For hotels try either of the two Apex’s in the Grassmarket or the one on Waterloo Pl, Hotel Du Vin, The Glasshouse or The Parliament House Hotel. However, be warned Edinburgh hotels charge like wounded buffalo at New Year…

Blue Cat

I would think what it would be like if it was raining or snowing ....

mikelincs

Spent one hogmany in Edinburgh, it was when my then wife was working there, we booked into a hotel, and had the whole shebang, haggis, dancing, countdown to Jan 1st, whiskey everythng, it was great, BUT expensive, and that was some 25 years ago.

scot47

Hogmanay is 31 December. Ne'erday is 1 January.

No sane person would plan on spending it in Edinburgh. Even worse than Edinburgh Festival.

Kelli28

We did it last yr as part of our honeymoon stayed in a hotel and booked the gala dinner, Scottish dancing, live band after midnight, we were overlooking the castle so watched the fireworks from our room. We also did the torchlight procession the day before. We loved it, it was a bit pricey but as it was part of our honeymoon we didn't mind.

Tockalosh

KK time to be honest chick

Have you met some shit faced jock in a Dubai bar and he has convinced you that being cold,wet (with rain) drunk, surrounded by heathens pissing in the street etc and naked at new year in some shitty outpost of empire is a good thing ?

Come now, sober up, reject those feelings of a good scottish shagging on new year (a good scottish shagging does nae exist - thats what the English are for)

and head to Slough or Basingstoke for new years eve

LITDH

Get yourself up to the Highlands. Braemar is great for new year's and more Scottish sausage than you can wave our English tail at.

kittycat1

LOL Tockalosh, Basingstoke or Slough- urgh.

To be honest, I don't do anything for New Year normally as I generally dont enjoy it and find it a real let down. Last year was awesome though- In Sydney at the Opera bar. Best new year ever.

I have been convinced by one of my best friends that Edinburgh is a fantastic idea, I've always wanted to visit Scotland so why the hell not. i don't get to spend much time with her and wherever we go we normally have a blast and we want to get out of London and do something different, having read some of the posts on here there is a feeling of impending doom but hell why not, as many of the posters have said its good to do it once. The prices are a bit scary but I don't get out much so **** it I'll blow it all on one night.

Having looked at the news reports of the coldest winter for 100 years I am thinking it may turn into a disaster but hey ho often the disasters are the most memorable.

And I woud l argue about a good scottish shagging not that I'm that type of girl- obviously my virtue is still in tact

silversilver

Have fun, and as somebody said it's maybe better if you book a party night - I spent a hideous night going into or trying to get into mobbed pubs on and around Princes Street. This year I am spending New Year in Dubai and the family are shedding their winter layers and coming to me.

Ethos83

Hi Kitty,

the best way to celebrate NYE is to head to a remote cottage in the highlands with a group of friends, lots of champers and hampers of food. Did this a few times and it was brilliant.

What makes New Year's fun is being with friends. You have a good friend in Edinburgh? Go for it.

It's a gorgeous city, possibly the best in the UK. Walk around the Old and New Towns and just admire the architecture and if the weather is in your favour you could even climb Arthur's Seat for stunning views across the city towards the Firth of Forth. If you're too hungover then a walk up the Royal Mile will be good enough.