Fireball for a New Years Eve? (Stonehaven Fireball Festival (Scotland))

Member Name: dunner7

Product:	Stonehaven Fireball Festival (Scotland)
Date:	05/11/08 (174 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Different, no entrance fee, magical

Disadvantages: Cold Cold Cold!!!

I first came across this festival when I was living in Edinburgh. I had gone to the infamous Edinburgh Street Party for Hogmanay and fancied something a bit different and more low key.

The Fire-throwing festival involves people marching 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. They swing fireballs around their heads and are egged on by the crowd.


The verdict: The Fireball Festival is amazing and it was one of the best New Year's Eve's I have ever had. Stonehaven is a pretty village that is worth visiting in Summer or Winter but it was obviously bitter cold when we went to wrap up warm if you go.

Stonehaven is located on the main Edinburgh to Aberdeen train route and I reckon that is probably the easiest and most cost effective ways to get there. It takes just over 2 hours to get there and the scenery on the train journey makes it worth the while.

We arrived there around 2pm on New Years Eve and checked into our B&B. We went for a big meal and went back to get ready. When I say get ready for New Year, it wasn't so much put on the lippy and the nice girlie shoes. No, I mean put on the wooliest jumper, warmest boots, gloves, hat and scarf!!! There is no room for vanity at this festival, the weather dictates that!

There are a few pubs in Stonehaven and we spent the evening going around them. Then at about 11.40pm we went out onto the street to see the fire throwers. They start up at about 12.25am. It was amazing. They estimate that around 3000 watch the throwers but it seemed like way more to me. The atmosphere is really good and everyone is clapping and cheering. The fire really lights up the sky and it is magical.

After the fire throwers had marched away we danced around the main square where there is a stand and some music. There are also catering vans selling Aberdeen Angus burgers which are very tasty after a few beers.

So what if we were all dying with the flu a few days later. It was well worth it and I would go back in a heart beat!

http://www.stonehavenfireballs.co.uk/

Summary: Fantastic off-beat way to see in the New Year!