Getting pagan at Hogmanay

Written by Helen Fowler

Good news for New Year revellers - Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2010 is taking place over an expanded five-day programme, longer than ever before in the event's 17 year history. The expanded celebrations have some major new attractions - many of them free - that should bring the city alive over New Year. I'm particularly looking forwards to the torchlight procession down the Royal Mile. Not that I'm a pyromaniac or anything.... but it's good to get a bit pagan at Hogmanay.

Other Hogmanay 2010 attractions will feature music, dance, art, conversation, fireworks, street theatre, light and fire... lots of fire. Which, of course, can only be good news in the cold, dark Edinburgh days of December and January, when we need all the light and warmth we can get.

The torchlight procession will open Hogmanay 2010 on 29 December. Thousands of torch carriers will create a river of fire from the city's historic Royal Mile, stretching down to the Son et Lumiere and fireworks finale on Calton Hill. You can purchase a torch in advance. Or buy one on the night (for £6, compared to £5 in advance on-line). Proceeds from torch sales go to Scottish children's charities. The event itself is free and unticketed, but organisers are warning that everyone needs to wrap up warm.

The procession leaves Parliament Square at 6.30pm, with the crowds (including, I hope, me and my family) holding their wax-based torches as they wend their way towards Calton Hill. The Son et Lumiere display on Calton Hill starts at around 7.45pm, and, like the procession, it's also free and unticketed.

If you're still in the mood for more pyrotechnics after the torchlight procession, you might enjoy street theatre artists Carabosse, who will transform the Royal Mile into a hub of fire and light. You can catch them on Friday 1 January, 4pm to 8pm, also Wednesday 30 December, 7pm to 11pm. They'll be in the squares around St Giles' Cathedral, in the heart of Edinburgh's mediaeval Old Town, which comes into its own at times like these.

Again, the event is free (and no need for tickets) but under-16s must be accompanied by an adult. That's because, according to the organisers, the event features 'live fire installations'. Personally, I love the sound of 'live fire installations'. I just can't wait for Hogmanay 2010.