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Frozen revellers see in New Year Frozen revellers see in New Year
(about 1 hour later)
Thousands of people have braved temperatures expected to dip well below freezing to celebrate Hogmanay on streets across Scotland. Thousands of people have braved below-freezing temperatures to celebrate Hogmanay on streets across Scotland.
Lows of -5C are expected in Edinburgh, where crowds of up to 100,000 gathered to see in the bells. Temperatures plummeted to -3C in Edinburgh, where crowds of up to 100,000 gathered to watch a concert and sing Auld Lang Syne.
Organisers of Glasgow's Hogmanay party said temperatures could drop to -2C, but feel as cold as -8C. Revellers cheered as the chimes sounded midnight and fireworks lit up the night sky around Edinburgh Castle.
Extreme lows have been forecast for the Highlands, with parts estimated to plummet to as cold as -15C. Hogmanay crowds also celebrated in freezing temperatures in Glasgow, Aberdeen and the Highlands.
Police and health chiefs appealed to party-goers to make sure they stay safe and drink sensibly as they welcomed in 2009. In Highlands extreme lows had been expected, with some areas estimated to experience temperatures plummeting to as cold as -15C.
In Edinburgh - the self-styled home of Hogmanay - dance act Groove Armada and singer Paolo Nutini were the big names performing at the city's Concert in the Garden event. Dress warmly, be sensible, look after your friends and have a great New Year's Eve Steve CardownieEdinburgh City Council How are you seeing in the new year? Huge crowds in Edinburgh - the self-styled home of Hogmanay - sang along as a video clip of Auld Lang Syne was played on screens across the city centre. Here in Edinburgh we have the arena and the backdrop of the beautiful castle with 100,000 people together for one reason - to have a good time and to celebrate the New Year Pete IrvineEdinburgh Hogmanay creative director How are you seeing in the new year?
Organisers said it was the world's biggest rendition of Robert Burns' poem, which is sung around the globe at New Year. It was arranged to mark the 250th anniversary of Burns's birth.
Earlier, dance act Groove Armada and singer Paolo Nutini were the big names performing at the city's Concert in the Garden event.
Scots rockers Glasvegas and electropop group Hot Chip also played on live stages at the world-famous street party.Scots rockers Glasvegas and electropop group Hot Chip also played on live stages at the world-famous street party.
A huge fireworks display took place in front of Edinburgh Castle, as the bells rang out at midnight. After opening the celebrations in the capital, Paisley-born Nutini travelled to Glasgow to headline the city's Hogmanay celebrations in George Square, where he was joined on the bill by another home-grown act, Idlewild.
Passes for the street party sold out earlier this month, but organisers released a limited number of extra tickets. Creative director of Edinurgh's Hogmanay, Pete Irvine, said: "We've tried a big thing with Auld Lang Syne and put on a great show tonight.
After opening the celebrations in the capital, Nutini travelled to Glasgow to headline the city's Hogmanay celebrations in George Square. "Here in Edinburgh we have the arena and the backdrop of the beautiful castle with 100,000 people together for one reason - to have a good time and to celebrate the New Year."Edinburgh's Prince's Street was packed with revellers for the celebrations
Edinburgh's Prince's Street was packed with revellers for the celebrationsSingers Amy Macdonald and Sandi Thom head Aberdeen's party at Castlegate, while The Magic Numbers have the top billing in Inverness. Lothian and Borders Police said the festivities in the capital had been safe and successful with only three arrests, for breach of the peace.
Assistant Chief Constable Bill Skelly said: "We have been delighted with the behaviour and attitude of revellers in Edinburgh this Hogmanay.
"We would like to thank the public for ensuring Edinburgh welcomed in the New Year in a fun but safe environment."
Singers Amy Macdonald and Sandi Thom headed Aberdeen's party at Castlegate, while The Magic Numbers had top billing in Inverness.
In the seaside town of Stonehaven, crowds were treated to a spectacular fireball parade, while Deacon Blue played at Stirling Castle Esplanade.In the seaside town of Stonehaven, crowds were treated to a spectacular fireball parade, while Deacon Blue played at Stirling Castle Esplanade.
In Oban, cult bagpipe group the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were performing.In Oban, cult bagpipe group the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were performing.
Councillor Steve Cardownie, deputy leader of Edinburgh City Council, said: "The safety of party-goers is always our paramount concern. Despite the low temperatures, the calm weather conditions dispelled fears of a repeat of 2006 when high winds and torrential rain forced the cancellation of events in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.
"Dress warmly, be sensible, look after your friends and have a great New Year's Eve."
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Edinburgh's new year firework showEdinburgh's new year firework show