Hogmanay was 'busy but peaceful'

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Ambulance chiefs said they had their busiest night of the year during the Hogmanay celebrations.

The Scottish Ambulance Service (SAS) dealt with 1,825 calls to its 999 centres across Scotland between 1900 GMT on Wednesday and 0700 GMT.

However the total number of calls was down on the 2,288 handled last year.

The service said most calls were drink-related. Police forces across the country said it been one of the most peaceful celebrations for years.

Arrangements were made for extra ambulance crews to provide cover across the country.

Cardonald in Glasgow was the busiest centre, handling 937 appeals for help, and was followed by Edinburgh which dealt with 672.

The centre in Inverness fielded 216 calls.

An SAS spokesman said: "Hogmanay is always our busiest night and this year was no different as we dealt with a high volume of calls across the country.

A spectacular firework display heralded the start of 2009 in Edinburgh

"Whilst there were fewer calls overall than last year, activity at times was intense with most of the calls occurring between midnight and 2am.

"All staff on duty last night had to cope with an exceptional workload and they did so admirably."

Revellers welcomed in the New Year at outdoor street parties around the country.

In Edinburgh, about 100,000 people braved sub-zero conditions for the city's outdoor celebration.

They greeted 2009 with a mass rendition of Auld Lang Syne, singing along to a video clip played on screens across the city centre.

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.

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.

We have been delighted with the behaviour and attitude of revellers in Edinburgh this Hogmanay Assistant Chief Constable Bill Skelly Creative director of Edinburgh's Hogmanay, Pete Irvine, said: "We've tried a big thing with Auld Lang Syne and put on a great show tonight.

"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

Lothian and Borders Police said the festivities in the capital had been safe and successful.

They made seven arrests and dealt with five crimes, three of which were assaults and two were thefts.

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."

Low temperatures

Singers Amy Macdonald and Sandi Thom headed Aberdeen's party at Castlegate.

Several onlookers and a police officer were slightly injured after a firework was thrown into the crowd.

A 27-year-old man is expected to appear at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Saturday.

However, Grampian Police still praised the "responsible behaviour and good nature" of the crowd on the night.

The Magic Numbers topped the bill at the celebrations 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 Oban, cult bagpipe group the Red Hot Chilli Pipers were performing.

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.