Fireworks light up Edinburgh sky as tens of thousands welcome 2020

Fireworks lit up the Edinburgh sky as tens of thousands welcomed the start of a new decade at Hogmanay celebrations.

Auld Lang Syne rang out to begin the year 2020, sung by revellers packing the capital's streets for a Hogmanay party that had included a night of music, parties and more than 3,600 fireworks let off from Edinburgh castle.

A group of women in Happy New Year hats on Princes Street (Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)

Crowds on The Mound celebrate 2020 Hogmanay in Edinburgh (Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)

Performances from Idlewild, Rudimental and Marc Almond featured across stages throughout the city centre, while DJ Mark Ronson created a soundtrack as the clock struck 12.

Fireworks light up the sky in Edinburgh during the Hogmanay New Year celebrations (PA)

Revellers cheer as they bring in the New Year at the Bells (REUTERS)

An estimated 100,000 visitors were expected to attend the event, according to organisers who billed the Hogmanay celebrations were the UK's biggest New Year street party.

There had been criticism of the event's organisation, amid uncertainty around how many passes residents were allowed , with Underbelly - who also run the Edinburgh Festival Fringe - accused of creating "unnecessary confusion" by the council leader.

Australians Corey Green and Richard Burlinson jump in their kilts during the 2020 Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh (Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)

Revellers dance in the streets as they bring in the New Year (REUTERS)

The festivities began in the city on Monday as around 40,000 people joined a torchlit procession which culminated in them forming the shape of two humans reaching out a "hand of friendship".

(Katielee Arrowsmith SWNS)

Revellers dance in the streets as they bring in the New Year (REUTERS)

Leading the parade down the Royal Mile and into Holyrood Park was a 40-strong cast from Celtic Fire Theatre company PyroCeltica.

Revellers from Italy enjoy the street party on Princes Street during the Hogmanay New Year celebrations (PA)

TV stars Ant and Dec took to the stage in Princes Street Gardens early on Tuesday evening as crowds gathered, playing music and introducing the first firework display of the night.

Ana Latrova, from Brazil (left) and Georges Chennoux from Luxembourg, enjoy the street party (PA)

Street theatre, circus acts and musical performances also took place across more than a dozen streets, including the city's main thoroughfare Princes Street and its adjacent gardens, while ceilidhs danced their way into the night in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle.

Returning on New Year's Day is the annual Message From The Skies display, featuring a collection of aquatic-themed letters to Scotland penned by five celebrated writers: Charlotte Runcie, Irvine Welsh, Kathleen Jamie, Kayus Bankole and Robin Robertson.

Marieke Van't Riet, from Amsterdam, during the street party on Princes Street (PA)

The words will illuminate and animate landmarks around the city, centred around a maritime theme, and will run until January 25.