{"id":67078,"date":"2026-01-01T02:01:23","date_gmt":"2026-01-01T02:01:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/scotland-rings-in-2026-as-weather-warning-kicks-off-the-new-year\/"},"modified":"2026-01-01T02:01:26","modified_gmt":"2026-01-01T02:01:26","slug":"scotland-rings-in-2026-as-weather-warning-kicks-off-the-new-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kede.com.br\/news\/scotland-rings-in-2026-as-weather-warning-kicks-off-the-new-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Scotland rings in 2026 as weather warning kicks off the new year"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Catherine Lyst<\/span>BBC Scotland<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The firework display around Edinburgh Castle has become world-renowned<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Scotland has welcomed 2026 in spectacular Hogmanay fashion \u2013 but some people are already battening down the hatches with a yellow snow and ice warning in force for much of the country.<\/p>\n

The weather didn’t chill the sprits of revellers at Edinburgh’s famous street party as organisers estimated tens of thousands of people attended the world-famous event next to Edinburgh Castle.<\/p>\n

A yellow weather warning for gale-force winds is in place across Orkney and Shetland. Heavy snow and ice expected for half of the country from 06:00 on New Year’s Day<\/a> until midnight on Sunday.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Weather forecast for Hogmanay and beyond<\/figcaption><\/p>\n
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It is set to affect north and north-east Scotland and covers the Northern Isles, Hebrides, Angus, Perth and Kinross and parts of Argyll and Bute.<\/p>\n

Network Rail has warned that train lines in the north of Scotland could be impacted by snow and urged people to check their journey ahead of time.<\/p>\n

Northlink Ferries has warned that some services may be disrupted from Friday to Sunday.<\/p>\n

Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) says it has activated contingency plans, with teams ready to respond to any network damage caused by the weather.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Tens of thousands of revellers descended on Edinburgh’s famous Princes Street party which culminated in the traditional firework display above Edinburgh Castle at midnight.<\/p>\n

Organisers saved money this year as they used some of the fireworks bought for last year’s event which was cancelled.<\/p>\n

The event fell victim to bad weather for the third time since 2003, leaving 45,000 revellers to make alternative plans to see in the new year.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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William Burdett-Coutts from Unique Assembly says Edinburgh’s street party will be “amazing”<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Unique Assembly’s artistic director William Burdett-Coutts said: “I think last year was one of the most depressing moments I’ve been through, when we had to call it off.<\/p>\n

“So it’s fantastic to be back and the public have totally embraced it. There’s lots of people turning out this evening. I think we’re up to about 45,000 so far for the street party.<\/p>\n

“The concert will be going on for most of the evening, and it should be a fantastic night. It will be an amazing party.”<\/p>\n

Indie rock band Wet Leg headlined the Concert in the Gardens. There was also performances by Scottish support acts Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys. <\/p>\n

Will Evans, director of Titanium Fireworks, told BBC Scotland News the midnight fireworks featured about 10,000 fireworks, accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack during a six-minute show.<\/p>\n

A temporary airspace restriction will be in place covering Edinburgh city centre between 18:00 on Hogmanay and 02:00 on New Year’s Day.<\/p>\n

It will be an offence for any unmanned aircraft to fly below 2,000ft above sea level within one nautical mile of Edinburgh Castle. The restrictions include drones.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Stonehaven’s Hogmanay fireball event attracted about 10,000 spectators <\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Elsewhere, Stonehaven’s Hogmanay fireballs event went ahead despite the weather, with about 10,000 people in attendance.<\/p>\n

It involves about 40 men and women parading up and down the High Street swinging flaming balls around their heads before the balls are thrown into the harbour.<\/p>\n

However the annual Nippy Dip in Stonehaven on New Year’s Day has been cancelled due to safety fears.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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Hundreds of people will be taking part in the 40th New Year’s Day Loony Dook at South Queensferry.<\/p>\n

The brave swimmers will be donning fancy dress to take a dip in the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth.<\/p>\n

The dook, a Scots word meaning to dip or plunge, began on 1 January 1987 when a group of friends went for a swim in the icy water as a hangover cure.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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The Torchlight Procession on Monday night signalled the official start of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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Edinburgh’s annual torchlight procession<\/a> kicked off the Hogmanay celebrations on Monday night when thousands of people marched through the Meadows waving flaming torches, making their way to Edinburgh Castle.<\/p>\n

Organisers said about 15,000 people took part, with a further 10,000 spectators.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Forecast details <\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
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Frequent snow showers will move into northern Scotland<\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/figure>\n
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A yellow weather warning for heavy wind came into force at 21:00, and snow and ice is expected from 06:00 on New Year’s Day until midnight on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The Met Office said there could be up to two inches (5cm) of snow at low levels by Friday, with four inches (10cm) in some places.<\/p>\n

Up to eight inches (20cm) of snow could accumulate on higher ground, with as much as 12 inches (30cm) on the hills. There is a warning of “significant” drifting of snow due to the high winds.<\/p>\n

The Met Office said lightning could be an additional hazard and added that it was likely that frequent and heavy snow showers would disrupt travel.<\/p>\n

Affected areas:<\/p>\n