General > Hogmanay in Stonehaven

Hogmanay in Stonehaven

The Fireballs is a popular annual festival, unique to Stonehaven, attracting thousands of spectators in festive mood.

The ceremony is not only Stonehaven's way of welcoming the New Year, but it also provides a gathering point for the town's "ain folk", some home from distant lands, to greet relatives and old friends, mingling happily with visitors from home and overseas who have come to enjoy a guid Scots Hogmanay.

Around forty five participants (the number varies year by year) parade up and down the High Street in the Old Town from the Mercat Cross at the east end of the street near the harbour to the Cannon embedded nose down at the west end (some 175 yards). They swing fireballs around their heads with gusto and in spectacular style, the dark skies memorably illuminated. At the end of the ceremony, the fireballs are hurled into the harbour.

The Ship Inn is the perfect place to stay being right on the harbour's edge - overlooking where "The Fireballs" Ceremony ends.

The Market Square in the centre of Stonehaven is also the venue for an Open Air Festival with a feast of entertainment including live music.