GLASGOW HIGHLIGHTS
HOGMANAY
GET OUT OF TOWN Fancy straying off the beaten track this Hogmanay? Lauren Mayberry suggests five non-city centre activities
g Gone is the street party but in its place, there are family-friendly daytime events at George Square (31 Dec, George Square, 12pm, free). The ice rink will host the first Hogmanay Bonspiel Cup, where you can watch a curling competition or try it out for yourself. The square will also have food, drink, children’s activities and trad tunes until 10pm.
Glasgow’s usual outdoor events may not be on this year, but there’s still hope for a fun-filled, family New Year
The Irn Bru Carnival (31 Dec, SECC, times vary, £12) is a Glasgow tradition, open until 9pm on New Year’s eve and starting again at noon on 1 Jan. Just enough time to sleep off the worst of the hangover, no? Rides range from gentle dodgems and wee-one-friendly rides, to more stomach churning numbers for the braver ones amongst us. Tip: watch out for kids hocked up on sugar/gaggles of tracksuited teens.
For an amusing start to 2012, you could try The Stand’s Hogmanay Hootfest!
(27–31 Dec, 9pm, £12–£22.50) featuring Sandy Nelson, Dana Alexander, Billy Kirkwood and Gavin Webster (see preview, page 79). And for something wholesome prior to your evening plans, the GFT are screening Bugsy Malone as part of their Take 2 matinee shows (31 Dec, 11.30am, £4).
If traditional music is your thing, the City Halls is hosting the Raymond Gubbay Christmas Festival Hogmanay Gala (31 Dec, 7.30pm, £24–£36). Scottish favourites will be played alongside the likes of Rossini, Bizet and Debussy, all presented by Jamie MacDougall. Or, if you fancy hitting up Optimo, Numbers or another such club for something more electronic, check out our round-up of the best New Year’s clubs, opposite. (Lauren Mayberry)
DETOUR’S AVIEMORE BASH Detour definitely know how to party, so their Hogmanay gathering should be a riot. Live sets come from Kitty the Lion and Stanley Odd, plus a DJ set from the Detour team (chances of taps aff action, extremely likely). There are no pre-sales, so be sure to get down early. 31 Dec, The Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore, 9pm, £10. THE LOONY DOOK Nothin’ says New Year like freezing your bits off in the Forth, right? The Loony Dook is a 25-year-old tradition, often accompanied by fancy dress and plenty of amused family members. The Grand Parade of chilly swimmers starts at Queensferry High Street and registration is required in advance at edinburghshogmanay.com 1 Jan, South Queensferry Lifeboat Station, 9am, £6. Part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.
THE RED HOT HIGHLAND FLING Allegedly Scotland’s biggest free Hogmanay party, those with relatives up north can take a road trip and bring in the New Year with Craig Hill. Bands include locals Hooja, Wolfstone and Skerryvore. Tickets: no. Fireworks: yes. 31 Dec, Northern Meeting Park Arena, Inverness, 8pm, free.
MUSSELBURGH NEW YEAR’S RACE DAY For a family-friendly start to January, you could take your mammy to the races. Part of Edinburgh’s official Hogmanay but slightly further out of town, Musselburgh hosts a special New Year Sprint which involves people running instead of horses. 1 Jan, Musselburgh Racecourse, 10.45am, £19–39. STIRLING CASTLE The official Stirling celebrations, complete with fireworks, the Heart of Scotland choir, The Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Three Blind Wolves and Eddi Reader. Put on mittens to survive the likely breeze on the Esplanade and re-learn the words to ‘Patience of Angels’ in advance. 31 Dec, Stirling Castle, 9pm, £15–£20.
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15 Dec 2011–5 Jan 2012 THE LIST 19