A Guide New Year in Scotland 2020

Well that is another year over and 2020 is here already. Is it just me or does time really fly? Once again it is New Year Resolutions time – mine tend to be more or less the same every year. Amongst other things I am always going to get more organised and of course lose weight!

2020 Olympics

So I hope 2020 will bring all sorts of excitement for you. This year will be a fabulous year for sporting enthusiasts as we have the 2020 Tokoyo Olympics taking place.

Year of Coasts & Waters 2020

Closer to home Scotland will be celebrating the Year of Coastal Waters with a year long programme of events and activities that will shine a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape.

In our small area of Moray alone you can get up close and personal with the influence our Coastline and Waters has on our lives. From our rugged Coastline to the gentle curved sands of Roseisle Beach.  Did you know we are one of the best areas of the UK for Dolphin and Whale Spotting?  This is because the warmer waters of the Gulf Stream finish in the Moray Firth. I love getting out there on the water. For me it is an incredible experience to see so much wildlife.

 

Experience for yourself how traditional fishing has built our communities and villages and a day spent exploring our many fishing villages is to be recommended. The little fishing villages are charming and quaint with beautiful views. Then where else do you find so many stunning Castles perched on dramatic, rocky headlands making for an amazing visitor’s experience.

 

Looking at the inland waters an inland cruise a Loch. You are in Scotland so how about Salmon Fishing or try some river rafting. In fact you could do all of this in a day.

Golf Courses

Of course Scotland for Golfers is a paradise. Imagine playing a stunning links course – sand dunes, distant mountain views and sea views. No wonder we are home of Golf.

Whisky Disilleries

And then of course there is our Whisky. Our famous Malt Whisky Distilleries producing the aptly named Uisge na beatha which translates to  water of life in gaelic. The distilleries rely on their source of  pure spring inland Scottish Water to make their whisky.

So where will #YCW2020 take you? Island hopping, dolphin watching or just simply strolling along a stunning river bank?

For a small country we certainly pack a large punch and with good planning there is no reason why you cannot experience everything Scotland has to offer. You just have to decide where and what you need to see.

The Burning of the Clavie

The ancient Pictish settlement of Burghead is lucky enough to celebrate New Year not once but twice. Why 11th January? This is the date of the Burning of the Clavie, a fire festival unique to Burghead. The significance of the 11th January dates back to the 1750’s, when the Julian calendar was reformed in Britain. The new Gregorian calendar was introduced. People rioted, demanding back their 11 days – but not in Burghead. Villagers decided to have the best of both worlds, by celebrating New Year twice – on 1st January and the 11th January.

So however you have celebrated Hogmanay, I hope your first footer brings you the best of luck for the New Year and you now know there is a chance to celebrate New Year all over again in Scotland.  That might just help with getting those New Year resolutions up and running.

A Guid New Year to you all.