Home > Uniquely Unspoilt Magazine > Issue 16 > Loch Ness

~~ Loch Ness Hogmanay Festival - by Mary Beedham ~~

The Loch Ness Hogmanay Festival takes place in the centre of the picturesque village of Drumnadrochit, known world-wide for its Loch Ness Monster.

Everyone is welcome to come along to Loch Ness and join in the festivities, with hotels, restaurants and pubs all open and waiting to welcome you to the Highland Hogmanay.

The festival begins on Tuesday 28th December 2004 and there?s sure to be something to suit everyone within the complimentary events.

If you?re a budding detective like Columbo or Murder She Wrote?s Jessica Fletcher, there?s a murder mystery evening, or if you?re more of a John Travolta or Olivia Newton John, come along and strut your stuff at one of our discos. If this all sounds too much like hard work, why not try the tea dance, whisky tastings or one of the many other events going on during the festival including traditional storytelling and Brazilian capoeira.

If you reckon you could make it as one of the contestants trying to impress Simon Cowell, belt it out at the karaoke evening, and if that doesn?t go too well, we?ll book you in for a singing lesson.

The main event starts at 10.30 p.m. on New Year?s Eve, when the pipers, and any willing participants, will march from the bridge to the centre of the village. They will be carrying the Loch Ness Hogmanay Quaich (traditional drinking cup), one of the largest in Scotland, which has been donated by The Quaich Co., Glasgow. The Quaich will be filled with Tomatin whisky and everyone marching with the band will receive a free dram.

The ceilidh band will take up the rhythm and the dancing will begin, then it?s fun fun fun. No matter what your age, you?ll be sure to have a good time.

At 11.55 we join the lone piper in the countdown, and then there will be a spectacular fireworks display to mark the start of 2005. Then, we?re back dancing until the wee small hours - 1.30 a.m., when the band plays the New Year favourite ? Auld Lang Syne, and then it?s home to bed to get ready for the next day?s events which include live music at a local pub.

The festivities are by no means over on January 2nd, when there will be the Annual Blarmor Duck Race which will be either on the River Coultie or The River Enrick depending in the weather (ducks are available at £1.50 each). There will then be a ceilidh in the evening.

Whatever you like to do, we?ll probably have it at the Loch Ness Hogmanay Festival, and we look forward to seeing you there.

Mary Beedham
Loch Ness Hogmanay Festival

The following holiday cottages are currently available at New Year: