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Scotland ready for Hogmanay party City's Hogmanay event cancelled
(about 6 hours later)
Thousands of revellers are preparing to take to the streets of Scotland to see in the new year. Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness have been cancelled, as police warned of "treacherous" weather conditions in and around the Highland capital.
The biggest street party is due to take place in Edinburgh, where 80,000 people will gather for music, dancing and a spectacular firework display. Organisers of the city's street party decided to scrap the event, following concerns from Northern Constabulary.
Deacon Blue will headline the celebrations taking place in the centre of Glasgow. New Year celebrations are set to continue in other areas of Scotland, but revellers were urged to take care.
Anyone heading out to enjoy the parties has been advised to wrap up warmly against the winter weather. A total of 80,000 people are to gather for the Edinburgh street party, featuring music and fireworks.
Police in the Highlands said they were having to rescue motorists stranded on the A9 southbound, and asked people not to make unnecessary journeys.
Snow warning
Northern Constabulary Ch Insp Andrew MacLean, said: "The underfoot conditions in Inverness are extremely hazardous and the roads in the city and in the outlying areas are treacherous.
"For reasons of public safety, we made a recommendation to the organisers and they have decided to cancel the Hogmanay party tonight."
Meanwhile, open air events in Aberdeen and Stonehaven are set to go ahead - but still face cancellation if forecasts worsen.
Police and local authorities warned the prospect of heavy snow in Aberdeenshire and Moray could badly affect many roads.
Aberdeen is planning a fireworks display over His Majesty's Theatre at midnight, while the streets of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire will be lit up by the 150-year-old fireball festival.
Grampian Police Ch Insp David Wright, said: "People should leave plenty of time for their journeys and tailor their driving to the prevailing conditions, which will be severe in some areas.
"If people are in any doubt as to whether they will reach their destination or be able to get home, our message is simple - stay at home."
Elsewhere, Deacon Blue will headline the celebrations taking place in the centre of Glasgow.
'Wrap up'
Anyone heading out to enjoy the parties has been advised to wrap up warm and drink responsibly.
Temperatures are expected to fall to about -2C at the Edinburgh street party.Temperatures are expected to fall to about -2C at the Edinburgh street party.
Look after yourself, wrap up warm, drink responsibly and have a plan for getting home and stick to it Ch Supt Bernard HigginsStrathclyde Police
Madness will headline the Concert in the Gardens, while The Enemy, Frightened Rabbit, Stanley Odd and We Were Promised Jetpacks will all appear on the Waverley stage.Madness will headline the Concert in the Gardens, while The Enemy, Frightened Rabbit, Stanley Odd and We Were Promised Jetpacks will all appear on the Waverley stage.
The New Year will be heralded by a massive fireworks display above Edinburgh Castle, before a laser and light display will take place the length of Princes Street between midnight and 0100 GMT.The New Year will be heralded by a massive fireworks display above Edinburgh Castle, before a laser and light display will take place the length of Princes Street between midnight and 0100 GMT.
Deacon Blue will perform for a 10,000-strong sell-out crowd in George Square, Glasgow, before 2010 begins with a fireworks display over the City Chambers.
Strathclyde Police Ch Supt Bernard Higgins urged people partying in Glasgow to drink sensibly and keep an eye on their valuables, and to ensure they have planned how to get home safely afterwards.
"We want everyone to enjoy themselves, have a great time and remember it for all the right reasons," he said.
"Look after yourself, wrap up warm, drink responsibly and have a plan for getting home and stick to it."
Flaming balls
Elsewhere, the streets of Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire will be lit up by the annual fireballs festival which has welcomed in the new year for about 150 years.
Dozens of participants will swing the flaming balls around their heads as they parade along the High Street during the ritual which, according to legend, was thought to banish harmful influences or ensure enough sunshine for a successful harvest in the coming year.
Blazin' Fiddles, Peatbog Faeries and The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will all perform at a free event at the Northern Meeting Park in Inverness.
Crowds gathered at the esplanade of Stirling Castle will see in the new year with acts including Sandi Thom and the MacDonald Brothers.Crowds gathered at the esplanade of Stirling Castle will see in the new year with acts including Sandi Thom and the MacDonald Brothers.
In Aberdeen, there will be a firework display above His Majesty's Theatre at midnight.
Smaller events will be held in towns and villages across the country as Scotland welcomes in 2010.
BBC Scotland's annual Hogmanay Live show is being streamed live on the internet . The programme runs from 2345 GMT to 0045 GMT on BBC One Scotland.BBC Scotland's annual Hogmanay Live show is being streamed live on the internet . The programme runs from 2345 GMT to 0045 GMT on BBC One Scotland.
BBC Alba's Bliadhna Mhath Ur, which is being screened between 2330 GMT and 0100 GMT, is also being streamed live on the same website.BBC Alba's Bliadhna Mhath Ur, which is being screened between 2330 GMT and 0100 GMT, is also being streamed live on the same website.