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Thousands party to mark Hogmanay Thousands party to mark Hogmanay
(about 7 hours later)
Hogmanay celebrations have been taking place across Scotland with tens of thousands partying on the streets of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.Hogmanay celebrations have been taking place across Scotland with tens of thousands partying on the streets of Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen.
Edinburgh's street party had to take place without X-Factor winner Leon Jackson, who cancelled due to illness. Edinburgh's street party attracted an estimated 100,000 people but took place without X-Factor winner Leon Jackson, from West Lothian, who has tonsillitis.
The West Lothian singer is suffering from tonsillitis and will now not sing for the next two weeks.
Last year high winds meant the cancellation of celebrations in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.Last year high winds meant the cancellation of celebrations in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Stirling.
'Hogmanay home' But this year's Edinburgh festivities were described as "a great event".
Leon said: "I'm just disappointed to be letting people down, but it wouldn't feel nice to get on stage and not be able to deliver." Police and organisers from the city council both heralded the night as a success.
The 19-year-old had the Christmas number one single with When You Believe. Tens of thousands of people packed into the city's main thoroughfare for the Hogmanay street party, set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street gardens.
George Grubb, Edinburgh City Council's Lord Provost, said: "We are very disappointed that Leon is unable to play tonight. 'Fantastic moment'
"His presence would have been a great way to open the celebrations, but we are still very excited about the excellent entertainment that we have lined up on all the stages tonight. And 9,000 others attended the nearby sell-out Concert in the Gardens event, opened by Scottish act Idlewild followed by Kasabian, who were joined by surprise guest Noel Gallagher of Oasis, and Calvin Harris.
The weather failed to dampen Hogmanay celebrations Kasabian's lead singer Tom Meighan dedicated a song to Motherwell captain Phil O'Donnell, who died after collapsing during Saturday's match against Dundee United.
"The fireworks promise to be bigger and better than ever, and tonight's street party will again confirm that Edinburgh is the ultimate home of Hogmanay." John Paul Murphy, of Edinburgh City Council winter festival, said: "I think it has gone really well and the crowd have certainly enjoyed it.
Organisers said the weather was damp this year but not as wild as 2006. Huge crowds gathered in Princes Street for the Hogmanay festivities
At least 50,000 revellers are attending the capital's street party with 15,000 in Glasgow's George Square. "It was a fantastic moment when Noel Gallagher went on stage.
In Oban 5,000 people are marking the end of the Highland year of culture. "It has been a very safe event, which we are delighted about, and the weather has not been too bad."
Kasabian, Calvin Harris and Idlewild were headlining the Edinburgh's Concert in the Gardens. At midnight the fireworks display lit up the sky above the city and the gun was fired from the castle ramparts.
Tickets for the Edinburgh event had still been available, in contrast to previous years when they have sold out well in advance. About 350 officers from Lothian and Borders Police patrolled the street party area and police said there were four arrests for minor offences.
HAVE YOUR SAY This year I will be spending Hogmanay in my home city of Aberdeen Gordon K, Aberdeen class="" href="http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3993&edition=1">Send us your comments A spokesman said: "We think it has gone fine, everyone seems to have heeded police advice on safety and it has been a great event for Edinburgh."
Edinburgh City Council deputy leader Steve Cardownie said it was possible the popularity of the event had "reached a plateau". Edinburgh City Council deputy leader Steve Cardownie earlier said it was possible the popularity of the event had "reached a plateau".
He said: "I think people have to remember that when we first started the street party we were virtually the only city in the whole of the UK that had such an event.He said: "I think people have to remember that when we first started the street party we were virtually the only city in the whole of the UK that had such an event.
HAVE YOUR SAY This year I will be spending Hogmanay in my home city of Aberdeen Gordon K, Aberdeen Send us your comments
"It's now been replicated elsewhere."It's now been replicated elsewhere.
"Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but it has had an impact on the number of people who are now coming up to the city because there are street parties almost the length and breadth of the UK.""Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but it has had an impact on the number of people who are now coming up to the city because there are street parties almost the length and breadth of the UK."
Indie rock band The View were headlining Glasgow's Hogmanay celebrations. After having to pull out of the event, X-Factor winner Leon said: "I'm just disappointed to be letting people down, but it wouldn't feel nice to get on stage and not be able to deliver."
Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald and Suspiciously Elvis, the Elvis tribute act, were due to perform for an expected crowd of 15,000 people. The 19-year-old had the Christmas number one single with When You Believe.
In Aberdeen, Travis were top of the bill at the city's Castlegate where thousands were bringing in the New Year. George Grubb, Edinburgh City Council's Lord Provost, said: "We are very disappointed that Leon is unable to play tonight.
Revellers did not let the weather dampen their spirits
"His presence would have been a great way to open the celebrations."
Organisers said the weather was damp this year but not as wild as 2006.
In Oban 5,000 people were marking the end of the Highland year of culture.
And in Glasgow, about 15,000 revellers gathered in George Square.
Indie rock band The View headlined the city's Hogmanay celebrations.
Scottish singer-songwriter Amy Macdonald and Suspiciously Elvis, the Elvis tribute act, also performed.
In Aberdeen, Travis were top of the bill at the city's Castlegate where thousands brought in the New Year.