By Christy O'Neill

Looking for some last minute free things to do on New Year’s Eve? 

Comrie Flambeaux

Comrie, Perthshire, PH6 In the small village of Comrie, at the heart of Scotland, locals will wait for the midnight bells to light their torches – or flambeaux’ – to parade down to the River Earn.

The festivities start with a parade of children in fancy dress and a band, creating an intense atmosphere for the exciting precession to follow. With its interesting history, this parade is always an entertaining event for all the family.

Edinburgh’s Midnight Moment

Free to view across the city, 9pm.

To celebrate both the New Year and the 70th anniversary of Edinburgh’s birthday, the city has prepared a spectacular display to light up the skies.

The fireworks, which will be visible from various vantage points across the city, will occur in hourly displays beginning at 9pm, leading up to the fantastic Midnight Moment. To get the best views, head to Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill.

Cahoots at Sweeney’s On The Park

Sweeney’s On The Park, 962 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, Scotland, 4pm – 7pm.

Sweeney’s On The Park will continue their up-market weekly entertainment this New Year’s Eve. Located by the popular Queens Park, this lively public house will be providing an afternoon of a variety of music; including folk, country, and blues.

A popular event, there is sure to be an excitable atmosphere at Sweeney’s on Hogmanay.

The Red Hot Highland Fling

Northern Meeting Park Arena, Ardross Stress Inverness, 8pm.

The Red Hot Highland Fling - the “largest free Hogmanay party in Scotland” – has only grown in size and popularity over the years. The evening is hosted by comedian Craig Hill each year, and features various bands alongside a variety of food and drink. Music this year comes from The Elephant Sessions, Scooty and The Skyhooks, and Skerryvore.

Biggar Bonfire

High Street at the Corn Exchange, Biggar, 9.30pm.

Biggar celebrates the coming of the New Year with a spectacular bonfire, which attracts many tourists each year to join the locals to rid the town of evil spirits. The bonfire is preceded by a parade of music and torchlights, and is an exciting and family-friendly way to spend Hogmanay.

Stonehaven Fireballs Parade

Stonehaven High Street, 11pm.

This ancient ceremony starts at 11pm, however crowds being to gather from as early as 10.30pm.

At midnight, the small fishing village is illuminated by as many as sixty fireball-swingers who make their way down to the harbour; where the balls are thrown into the sea. The precession, which is accompanied by music, attracted 12000 in 2002, doubling Stonehaven’s population.    

Luminous Birds

The Lighthouse, 11 Mitchell Lane, Glasgow, Scotland, G1 3NU, 10.30am – 5pm.

Glasgow’s own Mackintosh Tower is featuring the work of the award-winning artist Kathy Hinde. View her musical exhibition of Luminous Birds at the lighthouse this Hogmanay; a display of animated origami birds which harmoniously produce sound.

Stirling’s New Year Parade

Mars Wark to Kings Park, Stirling, 6.30pm.

Stirling will host a fantastic parade of light and sound to liven up its streets. This will be a spectacle of artistic sculptures and lanterns made in various workshops that will have been held in the lead up to the event. The parade will be enhanced by a variety of music and carnival acts, and will end with a fireworks display when the clocks strike midnight.

Family Hogmanay in the Honset Toun

The Brunton, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh, FH21 6AA, 11am – 8pm.

The Brunton is hosting a variety of activities for all the family to celebrate the coming of 2017.

The evening events offer a warm and friendly New Year’s Eve atmosphere. People begin to gather at 6.30pm for the Lantern Parade, which leads to Fisherrow Links for a fireworks display at 7.30pm.