Edinburgh hosts the annual Hogmanay celebration associated with the Stone of Destiny ceremony.
Hogmanay is the Scottish celebration of New Year's Eve, and Edinburgh stages one of the world's best-known large-scale versions. Its program has included street celebrations, concerts, torchlight events, and ceremonial elements connected with Scottish history and identity.
The Stone of Destiny, also called the Stone of Scone, is a historic Scottish coronation symbol. It was returned to Scotland in 1996 after centuries in Westminster Abbey and is now kept at Edinburgh Castle, although it has a separate history from the modern entertainment program. The stone should not be confused with the countdown itself.
Edinburgh's celebration is often associated with the singing of “Auld Lang Syne,” a Scottish song by Robert Burns. Hogmanay traditions vary across Scotland, so not every local celebration includes the same ceremonies or events.