Stonehaven Fireballs: 31 December 2010

"The Fireballs" is a colorful annual festival, unique to Stonehaven, attracting thousands of spectators in festive mood.

The ceremony is not only Stonehaven's way of welcoming the New Year, but it also provides a gathering point for the town's "ain folk", some home from distant lands, to greet relatives and old friends, mingling happily with visitors from home and overseas who have come to enjoy a guid Scots Hogmanay.

Around forty five participants (the number varies year by year) parade 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 (some 175 yards). They swing fireballs around their heads with gusto and in spectacular style, the dark skies memorably illuminated.

The Fireballs start at midnight but the Street Entertainment starts at 11.00pm. People start to arrive from 10.30, with crowds really gathering from 11.15.

The street entertainment is usually The Stonehaven Pipe Band, street drummers and a local fire poi group.