Vikings lead torchlight procession in Edinburgh as traditional Hogmanay celebration returns for the first time since 2019 – with council leader calling for tourist tax to keep loss-making festivals going

Vikings led a torchlight procession in Edinburgh last night to mark the start of the Scottish capital's four-day New Year celebrations.

The Up Helly Aa Jarl team from the Shetlands donned their armor and marched 'the river of fire' through the streets of the city center for the first time in four years, on their way to the Old Town near Edinburgh Castle.

A 'decline in available funding and the current economic climate' were blamed for the axing of last year's event, while the Covid pandemic curtailed the 2020 and 2021 celebrations.

Some 20,000 torches lit up the streets in celebration of the 30th anniversary last night, with street theatre, fire performers, bagpipe bands and drummers providing entertainment.

Photos showed the fearsome Vikings roaring through the city with flaming torches.

The torchlight procession in Scotland's capital marks the start of the four-day Hogmanay celebrations

Event organizers Unique Assembly warned weeks earlier that the event had reached a 'crisis point' over funding and that they would have to fund part of the £4 million spectacle themselves, according to The Scot.

While Cammy Day, the leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, has called for a so-called 'tourist tax' to raise around £25 million to fund the city's festivals.

He has proposed a 'visitor tax' of between three and four percent The guard.

Last night's procession started at 7.30pm, led by a brass band and members of the South Mainland Up Helly Aa in Viking costumes, who traveled from Shetland.

Torches lit up the sky as the procession left the Meadows, traveled through the Royal Mile, passing a number of Edinburgh landmarks including Greyfriars Kirkyard, before ending at Castle Terrace, with Edinburgh Castle in the background.

A percentage of sales from this year's parade went to Social Bite, a charity that provides homes, jobs, support and food to the homeless.

Mr Day told the BBC: 'It [Hogmanay] also makes a significant contribution to our city's economy, providing jobs and commercial opportunities for local residents and businesses.

Some 20,000 torches lit up the streets in celebration of the 30th anniversary last night, with street theatre, fire performers, pipe bands and drummers providing entertainment

Torches lit the sky as the procession left the Meadows, traveled through the Royal Mile, passing a number of Edinburgh landmarks including Greyfriars Kirkyard, before ending at Castle Terrace, with Edinburgh Castle in the background

People during the torchlight procession in the center of Edinburgh. Stephen Jamieson and Findlay Johnstone, both members of the South Mainland Up Helly Aa, were happy to be involved

“This is a time when we can celebrate the best of our city as one year closes and look ahead to the next with pride and positivity.”

Stephen Jamieson and Findlay Johnstone, both members of the South Mainland Up Helly Aa, were pleased to be involved.

Mr Jamieson said: 'It was absolutely phenomenal. There were so many people and everyone was cheering us on.

'We just had a lot of fun and it was really worth it. We hope everyone enjoyed it.”

Mr Johnstone added: “It was quite a spectacle. When you're on the islands, it's only the people who come from the islands there to see it.

“So it's really nice to see that everyone is so excited about it.”

Mark and Karen Sinclair were among the many thousands who lined the streets to witness the procession.

A percentage of sales from this year's parade went to Social Bite, a charity that provides homes, jobs, support and food to the homeless

Event organizers Unique Assembly warned weeks earlier that the event had reached a 'crisis point' over funding

The organizers had to fund part of the £4 million spectacle themselves

Cammy Day, the leader of the City of Edinburgh Council, has called for a so-called 'tourist tax' to raise around £25 million to fund the city's festivals.

Cammy Day, the leader of Edinburgh City Council, said Hogmanay also makes a significant contribution to our city's economy

Mr Sinclair, originally from Shetland, now lives in Edinburgh and says he has seen some familiar faces among the South Mainland Up Helly Aa team.

He said: 'I knew some of the people who were part of the squad so I've spoken to some of the family and friends who are involved.'

Ms Sinclair rated the parade a '10', while Mr Sinclair said it was 'very well organised'.

He added: “The whole thing had a very family atmosphere, which is great. “Since a lot of the money goes to Social Bite, I'd say if you can, buy a torch too. That is a very nice addition and it goes to a good cause.'