I’m so excited about 2014 – it feels like a year where amazing things are going to happen. I started off the year off with a bang by ringing it in at the Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party with my friends Kate and Sarah-Rose and around 80,000 other keen partiers.
We began the celebrations by attending the Torchlight Procession on the evening of the 30th. I wasn’t so sure about joining the 7,500 torch-bearers, but loved the spectacle of the flaming procession through the streets.
Our first sight of the procession from across the valley
Torch-bearers on Princes St
The procession heading up the hill towards the Scottish National Monument
As awesome as the Torchlight Procession was, the best was yet to come. Hogmanay means ‘End of Year’ and now refers to the three-day celebration that takes place across Scotland, and particularly here in Edinburgh. On New Year’s Eve, we headed to Waverley Street to party to the awesome sounds of Chvrches and Django Django pre-midnight. We ran into fellow Kiwis, discussed the nuances of Welsh pronunciation with a man from Brynhyfryd, and made friends with Glaswegians – it was so much fun!
Wrapped up VERY warm!
The atmosphere in the street party was great – relaxed, fun and friendly, it was everything we were hoping for. The countdown came up before we knew it and as the fireworks exploded above us the crowd spontaneously began singing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – so awesome!
I hope you all had a brilliant New Years as well, whether you’re in a winter wonderland or enjoying summer sunshine. Bring on 2014 – I’ve got a Good Feeling!
