Your complete guide to New Year in Edinburgh

Looking for the best place to see in 2018? It’s got to be the Scottish capital

No matter what time of year it is, there is always something fun and exciting happening in Edinburgh. Whether it’s a trip below ground in the Edinburgh dungeon or a tour of the decadent Royal Yacht Britannia, the Scottish capital ensures you’ll never be bored.

But as the country gets ready to welcome 2018, Edinburgh is taking the entertainment factor up to the next level. There is so much to see and do this new year in Edinburgh, which is why we’ve created your complete guide to Hogmanay celebrations, from what to do in the day to where to celebrate the stroke of midnight.

Take a look at why Edinburgh is the place to be this New Year’s Eve.

Fun things to do in Edinburgh during the day

There’s no better way to say farewell to 2017 than with a fantastic day out in Edinburgh. Why not look forward to the future by reflecting on the past and taking in Edinburgh’s Old Town, including sites like Edinburgh Castle, Greyfriar’s Kirkyard and the Royal Mile? Alternatively, you can indulge in some retail therapy on Princes Street.

Most of Edinburgh’s main attractions are also open on New Year’s Eve. Treat yourself to a fantastically spooky trip to Edinburgh Dungeon (open 10am – 5pm), or take the family to see penguins, pandas and everything in between at Edinburgh Zoo (open 10am – 4pm).

Where to dine before the party starts

There are unless options for fantastic places to dine in Edinburgh, and most of them are more than ready to open their doors on New Year’s Eve. Make your final meal of 2017 a great one, no matter whether you fancy something fancy or unfussy and delicious.

Check out the menus for some of Edinburgh’s most famous eateries, including Castle Terrace, The Witchery and Timberyard, and see what type of cuisine you fancy before you wave goodbye to the year.

The best places for a drink

We all know that the night doesn’t end with a meal when it’s New Year’s Eve. Like its restaurants, Edinburgh has a wide selection of famous and popular bars, pubs and clubs for you to enjoy a few drinks while you wait for midnight to hit.

From popular venues such as The Dome, Bramble Bar and Tigerlily to the cosy drinking holes on Rose Street, located behind Princes Street, to the more left-field Hanging Bat, there is no shortage of places to relax and prepare for fireworks.

What’s happening at midnight?

Speaking of fireworks, Edinburgh is guaranteed not to disappoint when it’s time for the main event. Take your pick from the incredible list of event taking place to welcome the arrival of 2018.

First of all, there’s the Concert in the Gardens taking place at Princes Street Gardens from 9pm, featuring a host of musical guests including headline act Rag’n’Bone Man. Or, if you want a more traditional Hogmanay, there’s the Ceilidh Under the Castle featuring real Edinburgh gin! For a more subdued experience, why not take part in the stunning Candlelit Concert?

Your choices for a Hogmanay hangover cure

However you choose to ring in the stroke of twelve, chances are there will be a fair beverages involved. For a delicious hangover cure, try one of Edinburgh’s many breakfast cafes, including the famous Deacon’s House Café on the Royal Mile. Or there’s The Caffeine Drip, where everything including the name seems customized to treat a delicate state.

For an alternative hangover cure for those brave individuals out there, there’s the Loony Dook, which involves dressing up and running into the Firth of Forth on New Year’s Day morning. Now that’s sure to help you feel refreshed!

Make 2018 the year you put yourself in the thick of the action so that in future you can have all that Hogmanay has to offer, right on your doorstep. Contact Quartermile on 0845 000 25 25 to arrange a viewing of our stunning Edinburgh properties.