Edinburgh’s famous New Year celebrations were cancelled due to safety concerns as stormy weather hit the Scottish capital during one of the busiest times for the tourist industry.
Organisers scrapped the city’s Hogmanay Festival, including the street party, concert by rock band Texas and fireworks from Edinburgh Castle, after heavy rain and winds exceeding 40 miles per hour (64km per hour) were expected to sweep the region.
The decision followed the abandonment of a torchlight procession that was set to officially kick off proceedings on Sunday. Events scheduled for Monday, such as a festive funfair on Princes Street, opened later than usual because of the winds.
While the city is often known more for its August arts and comedy festivals, the holiday season around late December is a key pillar of Edinburgh’s tourism.
The Hogmanay Festival, which the city council started running in 1993, was set to generate more than £48 million (US$60.4 million) for the economy and attract more than 100,000 visitors, organisers said.
The industry accounts for more than 12 per cent of employment in the city, and international and domestic visitors spent £2.24 billion in 2023, according to figures from Visit Scotland.