Edinburgh crowds stay home after Hogmanay celebrations cancelled amid wild weather

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Crowds have chosen to stay home rather than brave the wild weather in the capital tonight after all outdoor Hogmanay celebrations were cancelled.Images taken on Princes Street - which is usually closed off and the venue for the world famous street party - during the evening of December 31 show the miserable weather taking it's toll as the wet pavements are deserted with barely anyone around.Organisers took the tough decision to cancel all outdoor events on December 30 and 31 including the torch light procesion and street party after weather warnings for high winds and rain were put in place.The midnight fireworks display that brings in the new year have also been cancelled due to the hosts being unable to set up safely in the wild conditions.Assembly, behind Edinburgh's Hogmanay, put out a public safety announcement urging the public not to come into the city centre unless they are "attending an event or venue." An Edinburgh’s Hogmanay spokesperson previously said: "Due to ongoing high winds and inclement weather in Edinburgh city centre, we regret to announce that outdoor events scheduled for tonight (30th Dec) and the 31st December are unable to go ahead on the grounds of public safety."The cancellation includes tonight's Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens, and on the 31st December, the Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens, and the Midnight Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle."We have unfortunately been unable to continue with preparations and necessary set-up for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay outdoor events due to extreme weather and forecast conditions.

Therefore, for safety reasons we, along with our event partners, have taken the difficult decision to cancel all outdoor events." They