Hundreds of people rang in the bells with a Swedish pop twist on Hogmanay at Aberdeen’s official street party.
The city’s New Year celebration on Schoolhill attracted revellers from all across Scotland and beyond to enjoy an evening of music, fireworks and fun, headlined by the cover band Thank You for The Music, who turned the crowd into Dancing Queen’s with their Abba tribute act.
First on the stage from 9pm on Hogmanay were local musicians Rachel Bisset and Scott Mellis, who were followed by Celtic rock band Gleadhraich.
The folky rockers entertained the audience with a happy Hogmanay hootenanny of Celtic twists on modern and classic songs and ballads, including bagpipe versions of the Stereophonics, A-Ha, Ed Sheeran and of course, a passionate performance of Loch Lomond by Runrig, which shook the pavements of Schoolhill with hundreds of stomping feet and clapping hands.
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But the biggest fans enjoying Gleadhraich’s tunes on the evening were definitely the group’s girlfriends and family, who picked a top spot on the stairs by the war memorial to enjoy their show.
Iona Hunt, the girlfriend of the band’s drummer, said: “They’ve been absolutely phenomenal. It’s so amazing to hear them play every time and I think the crowd has loved them too.
“Hogmanay in Aberdeen is really amazing and we’re all so happy to just celebrate and have fun.”
One family who had twice the reason to celebrate at the street party were the Weirs from Aberdeen, who were raising a glass to dad Kevin’s 48th birthday on New Year’s Day.
Kevin was joined by his wife Pam, and son Arran, who is nine years old.
Mr Weir said: “This is our second year at the street part and we just love it. It’s a great time for the grown ups and the kids as well.”
And young Aaron added: “I love the new year’s party, the music and the fireworks are really fun.
“It’s really nice too because it’s like an extra party for my dad.”
Nicola Day, from Banff, and Mark McGlashan from Glasgow, were visiting Aberdeen to see their best friend perform in the Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime, and made a point of joining in the fun at Schoolhill.
Mr McGlashan said: “Christmas is all about family, but for me Hogmanay is all about celebrating good times with your friends and I think the Aberdeen party is really brilliant for that. We’ve had an amazing time.”
Finally, the end to another fantastic Hogmanay in Aberdeen went off with a bang, with a fantastic fireworks display at midnight by the Inverurie-based company Fireworx Scotland
