The Vikings spirits is alive and well in Scotland on Saturday. The evening before New Year's day had the torches out by the locals to enjoy a traditional burning. It wasn’t a small fire either as on Saturday thousands of people joined in the torchlight procession, which is followed by the burning of a Viking long ship, to mark the start of Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations.
In what has to be one of the more intriguing celebrations of the New Year, the celebration of the upcoming year is actually four days long with the beginning starting with the big burning in the harbor. Dressing up to look like Vikings and carrying torches (real fire mind you, no light bulbs allowed) the procession appears be almost barbaric in nature, but everyone is having fun ushering in the New Year.
While the traditions of the burning of the Viking ship might be a little much, the locals will tell you the plentiful scotch whiskey that joins the celebration makes the time in the crowds worthwhile. Sharing the holiday spirit with the consumption of the nations most favored drink goes without saying.
Take a look at the photo slideshow of the world celebrating the New Year, including the Scottish. No matter what language is spoken, the chance to pursue our dreams is only hours away when the clock strikes 12 and 2012 begins.
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