Scotland counts down to 2026 as weather warning kicks off the new year | UK News

As Scotland prepares to welcome in 2026, some residents will be getting ready to batten down the hatches, with a yellow snow and ice warning in force for much of the country.

Heavy snow and gale-force winds have been forecast from 06:00 on New Year’s Day until midnight on Friday.

The warning affects north and north-east Scotland and covers the Northern Isles, Hebrides, Angus, Perth and Kinross and parts of Argyll and Bute.

The annual Nippy Dip in Stonehaven on New Year’s Day has already been cancelled due to safety fears and Northlink Ferries has warned that some services may be disrupted from Friday to Sunday.

Stonehaven & District Community Council said: “Looking at the latest weather forecast(s) including a weather warning, we must put safety first, thus have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel this year’s Nippy Dip.”

Stonehaven’s Hogmanay fireballs event will be going ahead, with about 10,000 people expected to attend.

It involves about 40 men and women parading up and down the High Street swinging flaming balls around their heads before the balls are thrown into the harbour.

Tradition says the ceremony scares away the spirits from one year and brings good luck for the next.

Tens of thousands of revellers from across the world will be attending Edinburgh’s famous street party which culminates in the traditional firework display above Edinburgh Castle at midnight.

Organisers will be saving money this year as they will be using some of the fireworks bought for last year’s event which was cancelled.

The event fell victim to bad weather for the third time since 2003, leaving 45,000 revellers to make alternative plans to see in the new year.

Will Evans, director of Titanium Fireworks, told Scotland News that this year there would be a six-minute show, involving about 10,000 fireworks, accompanied by a bespoke soundtrack.

He said an earlier “teaser” display at 21:00 would be celebrating Scotland.

“It’s a really positive vibe to start the evening with”, he said.

This year, indie rock band Wet Leg will be headlining the Concert in the Gardens and there will also be performances by Scottish supports acts Hamish Hawk and Lucia & The Best Boys.

Alternatively, party-goers can select one of three different genres of music to dance to at the Street Party Mega Silent Disco.

Al Thomson, co-director of Unique Assembly which produces Edinburgh Hogmanay, said: “Things are looking great. Looks like it might be a little bit blustery but we’re confident everything will go ahead as planned.”

A temporary airspace restriction will be in place covering Edinburgh city centre between 18:00 on Hogmanay and 02:00 on New Year’s Day.

It will be an offence for any unmanned aircraft to fly below 2,000ft above sea level within one nautical mile of Edinburgh Castle. The restrictions include drones.

Hundreds of people will be taking part in the 40th New Year’s Day Loony Dook at South Queensferry.

The brave swimmers will be donning fancy dress to take a dip in the freezing waters of the Firth of Forth.

The dook, a Scots word meaning to dip or plunge, began on 1 January 1987 when a group of friends went for a swim in the icy water as a hangover cure.

Edinburgh’s annual torchlight procession kicked off the Hogmanay celebrations on Monday night when thousands of people marched through the Meadows waving flaming torches, making their way to Edinburgh Castle.

Organisers said about 15,000 people took part, with a further 10,000 spectators.

The last trains on Hogmanay will depart earlier than normal and no trains will run on New Year’s Day.

A revised service will operate on Friday 2 January.

Details of the changes, including the last trains on New Year’s Eve, are available on the ScotRail website.

Heavy snow and gale-force winds have been forecast from 06:00 on New Year’s Day until midnight on Friday.

The Met Office said there could be up to two inches (5cm) of snow at low levels by Friday, with four inches (10cm) in some places.

Up to eight inches (20cm) of snow could accumulate on higher ground, with as much as 12 inches (30cm) on the hills. There is a warning of “significant” drifting of snow due to the high winds.

The Met Office said lightning could be an additional hazard and added that it was likely that frequent and heavy snow showers would disrupt travel.

Affected areas:

• Angus
• Perth and Kinross
• Aberdeen
• Aberdeenshire
• Moray
• Na h-Eileanan Siar
• Highland
• Orkney Islands
• Shetland Islands
• Argyll and Bute