The winter festival went underground during the Reformation, but reemerged at the end of the 17th century. Since then the customs have continued to evolve to the modern day. Hogmanay.net has answers to some Frequently Asked Questions about Scotland's Hogmanay. In Glasgow, hundreds of thousands of revellers join in the Glasgow Hogmanay Party in George Square and other city centre locations. The free and non-ticketed Merchant City programme was emphatically Glaswegian, with each DJ, comedian and musician having a link with the city.
Celebrations continue until well after midnight.
The Glasgow's Hogmanay web site has a collection of photos from George Square, the Merchant City Street Parties, and the Riverside Spectacular at the Science Centre. Although the capital is less populated than Glasgow, the biggest Hogmanay street party is held in Edinburgh each year. Over the last few years, the city has built up a reputation as the place to be on Hogmanay, with visitors from all over the world gathering to welcome in the New Year with local residents. Rock and pop bands perform on stages in Princes Street Gardens, and the culmination of the festival is at the stroke of midnight when fireworks light up the sky, using the castle as a backdrop. One of the most spectacular Hogmanay ceremonies takes place in Stonehaven, just south of Aberdeen.