In which city is the Hogmanay torchlight procession traditionally held as part of Scotland's major New Year's Eve festivities?

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The Hogmanay torchlight procession is traditionally held in Edinburgh as part of Scotland's major New Year's Eve festivities.

Edinburgh's torchlight procession is a large ceremonial event in which participants carry flaming torches through the city toward a final gathering area. Its route and arrangements have changed in different years, but it has become an established opening event for Edinburgh's Hogmanay program. The spectacle combines fire, music, crowds, and the city's historic architecture.

Edinburgh's New Year celebrations grew especially prominent in the modern era, with organized street events, concerts, fireworks, and the torchlight procession attracting visitors from around the world. The festivities are separate from Burns Night, which honors Scottish poet Robert Burns on January 25.

Glasgow and other Scottish cities also hold New Year celebrations, so the national association can cause confusion. The question refers to the best-known torchlight procession connected specifically with Edinburgh's Hogmanay program. The city setting is important because Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town, and the surrounding streets form much of the event's visual identity.

Source: Wikipedia · fact-checked Oct. 2026

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