Fireworks launched over Edinburgh Castle

On the stroke of New Year

Whether or not you're mixing it at the street party, you'll want to be out of doors on the stroke of midnight to take in the traditional midnight fireworks. Edinburgh's a city addicted to pyrotechnics, so it's no surprise to see the New Year welcomed with a bang - and though there are fewer launch sites than once there were, you'll still get to enjoy synchronized displays from Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill.

You'll see one set of fireworks from almost anywhere, but to experience the event to the maximum you'll need to get up high. If you're prepared to invest a bit of sweat, the very best viewpoints are on one of the many hilltops around the city, where the spectacle over the city-centre peaks is matched by the night-time vista of Edinburgh.

If you're in town but not at the Street Party, Calton Hill itself is a traditional viewing spot. To get there, head for the east end of Princes Street, then carry on east down Waterloo Place and look for the steps on your left. On the south side of the city Blackford Hill is a local favourite, while in the north you'll enjoy the sights from anywhere with a good view of the castle.

We confess: the picture of the fireworks is from the Edinburgh Festival Fireworks Concert, not necessarily Hogmanay.  But it's such a wonderful image from FringeGuru's own photographer Stuart Buchanan, that we just couldn't resist using it again.

Making the most of the fireworks