MULTIPLE major Hogmanay events have been cancelled in Edinburgh due to severe weather conditions, organisers have confirmed.
A host of events in Edinburgh to celebrate Hogmanay have been cancelled including fireworks at the castle and the street party.
Organisers for the event, along with Edinburgh City Council and Police Scotland, confirmed that they have taken the “difficult decision” to cancel all outdoor events on December 30 and 31 due to safety concerns because of the severe weather forecast.
The cancellations include the Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens on Monday evening, with the Hogmanay Street Party, Concert in the Gardens, and the Midnight Fireworks from Edinburgh Castle, on Tuesday.
All indoor events across the capital will run ahead as scheduled, organisers have confirmed.
The news of the events being cancelled follows a series of weather warnings that have been issued across Scotland.
A yellow warning for wind across the central belt and other parts of Scotland is in place from Monday until 11pm on Hogmanay, while snow and rain warnings will remain in place from Monday until the bells.
An Edinburgh’s Hogmanay spokesperson said organisers have been unable to continue with preparations and necessary set-up for the outdoor events due to the "extreme weather" and forecast conditions.
They 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.”
They added: “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.
“We know that this will be hugely disappointing to all hoping to celebrate Hogmanay in Edinburgh and that people travel from around the world to be here at the Home of Hogmanay. Customer Service from point of purchase will be in touch with ticketholders directly with further instructions regarding refunds in due course.”
Chief Superintendent David Robertson, Police Scotland Gold Commander for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “Cancelling such an event is a difficult decision for the organisers, but public safety takes priority, so we fully support this decision.”
On Sunday Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Torchlight Procession was also cancelled at the last minute after organisers said strong winds posed a risk to safety.