Noticeboard NewsGossipOpinion Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
Here come the bells Top New Year events from gallus street parties to burning and balls Words: Anna Millar
EDINBURGH’S HOGMANAY Not for nothing is Hogmanay considered to be one of the world’s greatest street parties. Providing a reliably brilliant annual knees-up, the organisers’ first announcements for the 2010/2011 party – Biffy Clyro and The Charlatans – suggest we can expect a knockout close to the year. The Torchlight Procession on 30 Dec and Loony Dook festivities on the 1 Jan lend additional cheer and charm to proceedings. Check out www.edinburghshogmanay.com BURNING OF THE CLAVIE Setting the action up North in Burghead, Moray, this is one of the country’s more left-field and ancient shindigs. Pictish, Celtic, Viking or Roman in origin, the Clavie (a barrel of wood shavings and tar) is lit and carried around town, bringing the household good luck for the year ahead. This jolly bash happens on 11 Jan (the original Hogmanay date) so affords plenty of time for a Highland staycation first. SPOT THE BA’ Pack your woollies for a right royal hooly Orkney- style with this most active of Hoggers celebrations. The Ba’ kicks off on New Year’s Day, when a leather ball is thrown to the crowd. With over 200 participants, this funfest can last all day. More information at www.bagame.com HAGGIS HOGMANAY ADVENTURES Those looking to be led could do far worse than signing up for a four-day action-packed programme around Edinburgh and the Highlands over the Hoggers long weekend. See www.haggisadventures .com/scotland/hogmanay for much more. GLASGOW’S HOGMANAY Held in George Square, the party out West has expanded into the Merchant City in recent years. While this year’s line-up is yet to be announced, there are some fine hotel deals to be found on lastminute.com, for those willing to take a chance.
NewsReview
HOWARD JACOBSON WINS BOOKER ■ Just the other week, Howard Jacobson implored the reading public to take comic novels more seriously. His pleas were certainly heard by a panel of judges led by Andrew Motion who deemed The Finkler Question to be well worthy of becoming the 45th Booker winner (if you include the odd joint victory). In July, we awarded the
book four stars insisting that the author’s ‘skilfully constructed storytelling’ led to a novel of ‘beauty and humour’. So, Jacobson’s triumph is a good thing for funny writers and for those who believed the prize only went to young bucks like Yann Martel and Aravind Adiga: at 68, Jacobson is the most senior winner after William Golding. This had him declaring ‘I’ve been discovered’ while pocketing a rather handsome £50,000 prize money. (Brian Donaldson)
5 Things. . . HALLOWE’EN A few things you might not know about 31 Oct
1 Digsuises are traditionally worn to hide your identity from evil spirits. Although that tiger mask is fooling no one; we’ve got you sussed.
2 Turnips were traditionally
used for lanterns, until someone discovered that
pumpkins are easier to carve. True fact.
3 ‘Guisin’ is traditionally
called ‘Galoshin’ on the West Coast, named after a
mythical Scottish folk figure. Trick or treat anyone?
4 Superstition dictates that an apple peel discarded on Hallowe’en could show the name of
your future spouse – or your lifespan.
5 Bats are only linked to
Hallowe’en because they’re attracted by flying insects, which
are in turn attracted by bonfires (or jack-o’-lanterns). WWW.LIST.CO.UK Visit us daily for arts & entertainment news
GET SPOOKED Here at The List we’re firm believers that for everything there’s a song, and so it is with this issue, as we celebrate all things Hallowe’en with a Spotify playlist of ghoulish alternatives. Hallowe’en doesn’t have to be all about doing the ‘Monster Mash’ or voluntarily listening to the theme from Ghostbusters, people. Check out www.list.co.uk/halloweenplaylist to hear everything from Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds’ ‘Red Right Hand’ and Dusty Springfield’s ‘Spooky’ to The Cramps’ ‘I Was A Teenage Werewolf’ and David Bowie’s ‘Scary Monsters (And Super Creeps)’, plus much, much more.
21 Oct–4 Nov 2010 THE LIST 7