Have a proper Hogmanay hootenanny and celebrate the New Year in style at these fabulous venues across Edinburgh, Glasgow and beyond
Edinburgh
The Balmoral
roccofortehotels.com
Watch the fireworks over Edinburgh Castle without leaving the comfort of five-star luxury at The Balmoral’s Hogmanay Gala Ball. After a champagne and canapé reception you’ll sit down to a magnificent dinner featuring dishes such as venison carpaccio, celeriac and quince and Tweed valley fillet of beef, Jerusalem artichoke puree and crispy tongue with sage and parsley. Shake it all down with a post-dinner ceilidh and a traditional Auld Lang Syne to sing in the New Year.
Brewhemia
brewhemia.co.uk
Having established themselves as the party place for Hogmanay in Edinburgh, Brewhemia are promising another dive into the world of the Glitterati with loads of live entertainment, a prosecco reception and a five-course dinner celebrating Scottish ingredients. Enjoy a cock-a-leekie terrine, smoked salmon and venison loin, along with a Cairn o’Mohr mulled wine sorbet, while drag and cabaret stars beguile your senses.
Dine
dineedinburgh.co.uk
If you want to make an unforgettable dinner the main focus of your New Year’s celebrations, then Dine is top of the list. The award-winning brasserie is dedicated to sourcing the best ingredients from across Scotland, including championing small. Independent suppliers. From the canapés at the Champagne reception to the four-course dinner, every mouthful at their Hogmanay Gala Night is carefully thought out. To top it off, Gavin Paul will be performing beloved Rat Pack and Vegas hits to keep the good times rolling.
Edinburgh Grand
lateralcity.com
Ring in 2020 in rip-roaring style with The Register Club. On arrival to the opulent cocktail lounge, guests will be treated to a welcome glass of the finest Champagne, followed by a lavish buffet-style dinner. Next comes dancing in The Games Room – guaranteed to keep you on your feet until the wee hours – and a dram to welcome in the New Year.
Fishers in the City
fishersrestaurants.co.uk
If you’re looking for a hearty dinner of the best Scottish seafood before heading out to the street party, Fishers have you covered. From hand-dived Orkney scallops with pickled apple, apple puree and crushed horseradish potatoes to whole lemon sole with chestnut and parsley butter, rocket and potato salad, seafood lovers will be in heaven. Those of a more meaty inclination aren’t left out either, with fillet of venison or beef carpaccio to satisfy those more carnivorous urges. Then it’s only a short hop up the hill for the fireworks.
Malmaison Edinburgh City
malmaison.com
The newest addition to the Mal family, Malmaison Edinburgh City is located bang on St Andrew’s Square and features all the brand’s signature quirkiness. It makes a perfect base if you’re heading out to the street party, but staying in is just as tempting with dinner at Chez Mal and live entertainment laid on to keep you bopping ‘til the bells.
Glasgow
Barras Art and Design
baadglasgow.com
Big hair, bigger shoulder pads and massive tunes are the order of the evening at BAaD, as the glass-roofed venue gets an 80s makeover for Hogmanay. Hits from the likes of Donna Summer, Madonna and Prince will keep the dance floor jumping, while a live stage show with drag queens provides further entertainment. Dressing up is highly encouraged (and in Foodies’ opinion, essential).
Kimpton Blythswood Square
kimptonblythswoodsquare.com
Whisk yourself away to a glamorous house party experience in the heart of the city at Kimpton Blythswood Square, where you can toast the New Year with a bottle of Moët et Chandon in the salon after a sumptuous three-course dinner. With dishes like Orkney crab and watercress risotto, crispy quail’s egg and lemon oil, followed by roast rack of lamb, celeriac purée, salt baked potato and kale, it’s sure to be a very happy Hogmanay.
Lychee Oriental
lycheeoriental.co.uk
Give your New Year a more exotic flavour at Lychee Oriental, winner of the Best Chinese Restaurant in Scotland. Their locally-sourced five-course banquet dinner includes dishes such as fresh crabmeat and sweetcorn soup, chargrilled fillet of beef in black pepper sauce and king scallops with broccoli. Or go a la carte and try twice-cooked pork belly with aubergines, braised monkfish with enoki mushrooms or Thai-style crispy seabass.
RED Sky Bar
www.redskybar.com
Very few places in Glasgow boast such stunning views as the Sky Bar on top of the new Radisson RED hotel. Gaze out across the river and see the fireworks going off across the city at midnight, all while listening to the beats of the in-house DJs. If fizz ain’t your thing, they’re known for their inventive cocktails that will keep the party going into the wee small hours.
Away
Borthwick Castle
borthwickcastle.com
Live out your Monarch of the Glen fantasies by booking an entire medieval castle for your New Year’s celebrations. Guests can choose from ten bed chambers set within the thick walls of the 15th Century keep including those named after Mary, Queen of Scots, and Sir Walter Scott, both of whom spent nights at the castle. A two-bedroom cottage, perfect for younger guests, as well as the romantic Gatehouse, sit separate to the main building within the castle walls. Head chef Derek Johnstone, a Chef of the Year 2019 finalist, designs all the menus to offer the utmost in luxury to match the decadent surroundings.
Isle of Eriska
eriska-hotel.co.uk
How does escaping to a private island for Hogmanay sound? Situated at the mouth of Loch Creran and on the eastern side of Loch Linnhe, the hotel has the whole island to itself and there are plenty of outdoor activities on offer that take advantage of its unique location. Indoors you can have dinner at the Michelin-starred restaurant topped off with a visit from the famous farmhouse cheese trolley. On New Year’s Eve the party kicks of with Champagne, a gala dinner and ends with fireworks over the loch.
Kinloch Lodge
kinloch-lodge.co.uk
Let the warm hospitality of the Kinloch team put you in the mood for a true Highland Hogmanay. Marcello Tully’s seven-course tasting menu is sure to keep you occupied in the lead up to the bells, while fireworks and Champagne cocktails will see 2020 in with a bang. The next day blow the cobwebs away with a wander through the beautiful Skye landscape followed by a doze in front of the open fire in the drawing room.
The Marcliffe Hotel & Spa
marcliffe.com
A countryside escape located conveniently close to Aberdeen, the Marcliffe is offering a two- or three-night break over Hogmanay filled with fun and relaxation, including a steak dinner on the 1st January and a fish and seafood menu on the 2nd. The main event is the Hogmanay Gala Ball, starting with a Champagne reception, a five-course dinner, music from the Magic of Motown and the Bucksburn Pipe Band, a disco and more fizz to welcome in the New Year.
Peebles Hydro
peebleshydro.co.uk
Known for their festive celebrations and beautiful decorations, Peebles Hydro is the perfect place for families to celebrate Hogmanay in style. The three-night package includes all meals from arrival to departure, entertainment throughout your stay, and access to the leisure pool and gym (if you’re starting on those resolutions early). The main event is the Gala Dinner on New Year’s Eve, a fabulous banquet followed by a blow-out party.
The Royal Yacht Britannia & Fingal
fingal.co.uk
Float into two days of elegance and indulgence on board The Royal Yacht Britannia and her sister ship, the boutique hotel Fingal. On the 30th, after a Chamgagne afternoon tea on board Fingal, head over to The Royal Yacht Britannia for a gala dinner fit for the Queen and a private guided tour of the State Apartments, followed by the Beating of the Retreat. On New Year’s Eve Fingal’s magnificent ballroom will play host to a Champagne and canapé reception, followed by a five course dinner. Countdown to the bells with a piper to welcome in the New Year and a traditional rendition of Auld Lang Syne, followed by ceilidh dancing.
