New Year’s in Edinburgh

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I had just gotten back from seeing Maria in Barcelona. We went to Valencia for the weekend. After this great weekend I decided to spend New years in Europe. Edinburgh was by far the most unique New Year’s experience I have had. I stayed at 3 different hostels during my 4 day stay, the haystack, St Christopher’s Edinburgh Old Town and the Baxter. Hostels were uneventful, but the people I met made the difference. In the haystack, I met Liz a pharmacist travelling around the world, who quit her job because got burn out and decided to travel all over. She had been to so many incredible places, I was a little jealous 🙂 but mostly inspired by her adventurer soul. Liz, 2 other travelers (one from France and one from Brazil) and I spent the evening in the Torchlight procession. As most of what I do, this was a last minute plan, so I didn’t know what to expect. I just knew I had to go to a certain location, so we did. Of course, It was 7-8pm in the evening and It was very cold. When we arrived to the meeting point, we noticed that the streets were blocked off and once checked in we were given a long torch looking candle and joined the crowd.

We waited for an hour or so in the cold while the crowd got bigger and bigger. Thinking back I regret not bringing some alcohol to keep ourselves warm and stay entertained hehe.

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At some point we noticed that the crowd could easily be thousands of people and the torches starting getting lit from the front of the procession and from behind. People were lighting each others torches.

We started marching thru the streets of Edinburgh, when more and more people from adjacent streets joined the main procession. Music around us, people dancing, and having fun. However, If I were to go again, I would go to the front of one of the procession blocks because fire performances led every group and I missed this.

An hour or so later , we were outside the city into an open field, where a concert was waiting for us, people drinking, talking, dancing, but we were freezing to death lol, so we stayed briefly and left. If I were to go another year, I will be prepared with more layers on me as well 🙂 .

One of the coolest part of being part of the procession was what I found out later. The people marching in the open field formed a giant symbol in the park, as live bands played to the crowds. they made the shape of two people reaching out a hand in friendship, representing the theme of this year’s Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, “BE TOGETHER”.

The next day, I spent it at the Christmas market ..

Followed by a street party in Edinburgh’s downtown surrounded by live music and great fireworks at midnight.

January 1st

I began the New year participating in the Looney Dook in South Queensferry. The Loony Dook is an annual event held on New Years’ Day in which people dive into the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry (north of Edinburgh, Scotland), often in fancy dress or costume.

I rode public transportation with my friend Sandra which took around 45 minutes. Of course, I didn’t have a ticket to the Looney Dook because I usually don’t plan much when I travel and I just go with the flow.

I went straight to the ticket office where they confirmed the event was sold out, which to me this only means try harder :P, so I did. I waited patiently in line and convinced one of the volunteers to help me get a ticket. Eventually I was able to get one.

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I never thought that freezing would hurt so much so quickly. I couldn’t remain in the water more than a few minutes.

Overall, New Year’s in Scotland has been was one the most unique and memorable new year memories. Hopefully when you read this mi reinita, you will enjoy travelling as much as I do..