Primary Sidebar

The This Old House crew helped the owners of a cramped Victorian carve living space from an unfinished attic. For the first time, This Old House traveled outside Massachusetts to focus on the renovation of a concrete-block-and-stucco tract house in Tampa, Florida. This Old House realized the potential of a tiny Cape Cod-style home, by doubling the living space. The This Old House crew made a get-away to western Massachusetts, where they raised a post-and-beam style cottage with expansive mountain views. The crew headed to the Southwest to remodel a territorial-style home in the historic Encanto District.

This Old House went to California to remodel a Craftsman bungalow. A two-family home in Massachusetts was converted to a bed and breakfast with a 2,foot addition and a handicapped-accessible in-law suite. While renovating his attic, he received a call from the Adventure series publicist, who also, it happened, worked for This Old House.

Never expecting to get the job, Thomas applied, was interviewed, and then screen tested. Ten days after that lucky phone call, Thomas was offered the position. The crew put a new spin on a good old-fashioned barn raising, reconstructing an barn in Massachusetts, using post-and-beam construction with stress-skin panels.

In the desert of the Southwest, This Old House updated a adobe home with a library and art-studio addition. A revamped kitchen featured handmade cabinets by Norm. Historic district commissions, new words for familiar things, and the mysteries of the full English breakfast were only part of what made the crew feel like strangers in a strange land.

The restoration of a Mediterranean Revival-style home, damaged by Hurricane Andrew, brought the crew to Florida. The restoration of the house paralleled that of a region devastated by the storm. The restoration of a Shingle-style Victorian included the removal of asbestos siding, an overhaul of the kitchen, and the installation of beautiful period wallpaper.

The renovation and expansion of a circa , termite-damaged, ocean-side bungalow took the crew to Hawaii. This Old House rehabilitated and expanded a circa Colonial farmhouse, working to preserve the integrity of the original structure while adding 1, -square- feet of living space including a kitchen, laundry room, family room, and master suite.

A neglected Federal-style house was renovated and rejoined the ranks of other historic homes in the neighborhood. Challenges included strict historical district rules, complete restoration of the original portico, and putting modern systems in a post-and-beam structure. Eric Thorkilsen, the launch Publisher of Martha Stewart Living and President of Martha Stewart Television, was tapped to start This Old House magazine, transforming it into a multi-media lifestyle brand around the flagship Emmy Award-winning television series.

The This Old House crew transformed a small Victorian cottage into a summer home with year-round capabilities. The renovation of this s Pueblo Revival stucco home included expanding the kitchen and the patio areas and building an outdoor courtyard and veranda, all against a breathtaking backdrop of mountains and desert in Arizona. The crew turned the main worship area into an open living space with a foot ceiling; putting in an open-plan kitchen; adding bedrooms and baths upstairs.

The show kicked off its 20th anniversary with the renovation of a sprawling Queen Anne-style Victorian in the Boston suburbs. Close to home, This Old House tackled a project close to its heart: Newly built, it featured many low-maintenance synthetic materials, yet managed to look as if it had been there for a hundred years. The crew headed west for the winter to raise the roof on a Craftsman-style bungalow in sunny California. Art tiles, a period-perfect oak fireplace surround by Norm, and a stunning custom entry combined to accentuate the handmade feel of the original house.

At the time, the Charlestown house was the most urban project This Old House had ever undertaken. Before midnight, guests are escorted if they wish to an exclusive area at street level outside to view the midnight fireworks from the building. Many venues hold a Hogmanay event that normally includes dinner, drinks, dancing, and live entertainment. Some packages also include Street Party passes. Yes, it can be. The outdoor events at Hogmanay, including the torchlight procession, street party, and fireworks may be cancelled if the weather is particularly bad, especially if it is deemed that the weather makes for unsafe conditions.

So far the main Hogmanay celebrations have only been canceled twice and Note that tickets for most events will not be refunded for weather related cancellations. Indoor events will still be happening, and you can also always head to a pub or restaurant to celebrate as many will have special Hogmanay menus and entertainment.

Check the weather before you leave to help with packing.

Events run late into the evening so it may be colder than you might expect, especially if it is windy or if it rains. Check out this Hogmanay packing list which gives you some more specific advice of what to pack, bring, and wear during the Hogmanay events and Loony Dook. I would say yes, but I would choose the events best suited for families as some are more family friendly than others and some events do NOT allow children under a certain age.

For instance this year children under age 12 were not permitted at the Street Party or the Concert in the Gardens. However, t here are events each year that are specifically organized for families such as afternoon music events and early evening fireworks for families who want to avoid the biggest crowds and be home before midnight. In terms of the regular events, children are welcome with an accompanying parent to take part in the Torchlight Procession, afternoon concerts and events, candlelight concert at St. Giles, the ceilidh dancing, and Loony Dook. Also, many restaurants, pubs, and hotels will be hosting special dinners and entertainment so you should have no trouble finding a family friendly place to celebrate.

Yes, you have a few options.

History of This Old House

Many are aimed at the younger budget traveler. The Hogmanay tours start from either London or Edinburgh. If you are looking for a guided budget tour to get to and around Edinburgh during Hogmanay and elsewhere in Scotland, here are some tour options. They range from 4 to 7 days in Scotland and include a guide, bus transport, and hostel accommodation.

If you are coming from London and like to party, this party train tour is a great way to travel to and from Edinburgh. Includes return train tickets, a bottle of prosecco, and Hogmanay Street Party ticket. Edinburgh has a fairly compact city center, with the majority of attractions being easily accessible by foot or public transit. We would not recommend a renting a car unless you are planning to leave the city as many roads around the city center will be closed for the holiday events and finding parking can be difficult.

The holidays, especially the week around Hogmanay, is one of the busiest times of the year in Edinburgh and many accommodations book up in advance. Prices are also higher at most hotels at this time of year. In terms of accommodation options, Edinburgh has something to suit everyone, including hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, apartments, rooms, and hostels.

News & Events - Treasure Houses of England

Edinburgh is not a cheap destination, but it is not nearly as expensive as London and you can find everything from historical luxury hotels to budget chains to hostels. You can search and compare Edinburgh lodging options here.


  1. Going Home;
  2. News & Events from around the Houses;
  3. Taking you back! Volume 6 - Racing History Stories - the little known car owners and sponsors!

There are a lot of smaller satellite towns and villages within a 30 minute to 60 minute car or bus ride from Edinburgh that may be able to offer cheaper accommodation. Because of the large influx of people into Edinburgh, there are often other special events held that week as well so check out local events schedules. If you have more time in Edinburgh, you may also consider taking a day trip. If you are interested in a day trip tour, we can recommend taking a look at the tours offered by local tour company Rabbies.

We have always had a great experience on their tours.

See a Problem?

There is obviously lots to do in Edinburgh, and feel free to leave us a comment if you need any advice! If you are looking for a smaller but still festive public celebration check out larger cities like Glasgow second largest Hogmanay celebrations , Inverness, and Aberdeen. The bigger cities will all have public festivals and smaller towns of any size will also have local festivities such as ceilidh dancing, live music, and dinners.

December — All Month Long. If you are visiting Edinburgh for Hogmanay, consider coming early to also enjoy some Christmas festivities. Many of the Christmas events, including the Christmas Market, continue into January as well! The entire month of December is a festive time to be in Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Christmas events have been growing in size and popularity, attracting lots of international tourists. Holiday related events normally begin at the end of November and most things are in full swing by the first week of December.


  • Reader Interactions.
  • The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Turns What It Taught Us | Time;
  • Mehalah: A story of the saltmarsh;
  • Astrologie Active (French Edition);

    • Although some of these end at Christmas, many of these continue through the first week of January. So if you come for Hogmanay you can still visit the Christmas markets, ride the amusement rides, and go ice skating. Check out our guide to Christmas in Edinburgh to give you a full overview of all the things you can do during this time of year.

    The two main events that take place on December 30th are the torchlight procession and a short fireworks show in the evening. Check the official schedule to see if any other events may also be taking place on this day as there may also be music entertainment or other festivities. The torchlight procession is the big kickoff event for the Hogmanay festival in Edinburgh! The procession is also accompanied by a series of drummers and pipers who play music throughout the walk.

    The procession usually lasts about 2 hours, beginning at dark around 7pm. The route varies each year but the procession has always taken place in the Old Town. Visitors are welcome to participate and walk in the procession. Children can participate in the procession but must be accompanied by an adult, and no baby strollers are allowed in the procession. The route will be roped off with space for people to stand alongside and watch. The beginning of the parade is the most dramatic as the Up Helly Aa Vikings make quite the impression!

    Normally, there is a short fireworks show after the torchlight procession ends. The location of the fireworks may vary, with them normally being fired from Calton Hill. If you are not taking part or watching the torchlight procession, you may still be able to watch the fireworks as it can normally be seen from a number of spots in the city. As long as you can see over the area where the fireworks are going to be launched, you should be able to see them. This is the day of the street party, concerts, dances, and the largest firework display.

    There are also tons of other Hogmanay events taking place at private venues throughout the city. Many of the ticketed events note a time when you must arrive by and most events do not allow you to leave and re-enter again. So for example if you want to go to both the Ceilidh and the Concert in the Gardens, you may want to go to the Ceilidh when it first opens for 2 or 3 hours, and then head to the Concert for the rest of the evening.

    Also note that the sidewalks and streets in central Edinburgh start to become very busy around 10pm and it takes a lot more time than usual to get from place to place, both due to the crowds and all the barriers. All the ticketed areas have public toilets as well as places to purchase drinks and street food. Each year there are always family-oriented Hogmanay events in Edinburgh. This runs at 1: The main official event this year as it was last year is Bairns Afore which is an afternoon 1 hour music outdoor concert designed for children and families followed by a short fireworks display.

    It starts at 5: The National Museum of Scotland usually hosts a fun family Hogmanay event. In addition to the special 6pm fireworks after Bairns Afore, there were short fireworks displays every hour on the hour starting at 9pm. These were held so that families could watch the fireworks with their children before going home, and to get revelers geared up for the midnight finale.

    So even if your little ones needs to be in bed early, you can still see one of the early fireworks. Giles, a beautiful 14th century cathedral that is the principal church of the Church of Scotland. It is a classic concert, and often features music from composers like Mozart, Bach, and Handel as well as local choirs. The candle light and historic cathedral add a nice dramatic atmosphere to this concert that normally lasts 1. If you are looking for some moments of peace and spirituality in your Hogmanay celebration, this might be the event for you!

    Tickets are needed to attend, and these normally sell out well in advance. Children are welcome, but the event is not appropriate for babies or young children. A ceilidh, pronounced kay-lee , is a word used to describe a traditional social gathering that normally includes Gaelic music and dancing. Each new dance is first demonstrated and then called out so that those not familiar with the dance steps can still join in.

    Most dances are for pairs but there are also set dances that include two to four sets of couples. Starting in , the ceilidh has been held just under the castle so it was a perfect spot to view the fireworks. You do need to buy a ticket to join the Ceilidh and these normally sell out in advance. Children are welcome but this event is not recommended for really young children.


    1. How This Old House Was Built;
    2. A Look Back at 38 Years of Quality, Craft, and Innovation.
    3. Vanik: the Baraxus Bridge Chronicles (Book Two).
    4. Handymans Diary.
    5. No. 3: Par les soirs.

    There is no special dress code although some people do dress up, just be sure to wear something you can move in and comfortable shoes. There is a food and drink stand within the Ceilidh area as well as toilets. The Ceilidh normally starts at 8pm and ends at 1am. The Street Party is a large area that you can walk around that contains a number of stages with live entertainment. There were also a few street performers walking amongst the crowds. You will be able to see the fireworks from the Street Party at midnight, and there are also screens set up within the Street Party area to give people better views of the midnight moments.

    Admittance to the Street Party area requires a ticket, and children under age 12 are not permitted. There are several food and drinks stands within the Street Party area as well as toilets. The Street Party usually opens at 7pm entertainment usually starts around 8pm and ends at 1am. Note that there is also going to be a Silent Disco area within the Street Party. The music concert features a main headline act plus a couple of guest acts. Those at the Concert have a great view of the fireworks which are set off from Edinburgh Castle. Admittance to the Concert in the Gardens requires a ticket, and children under age 12 are not permitted.

    Premium area tickets are available which allow for a special viewing area that is less crowded and has limited seating. Concert tickets almost always sell out well in advance so book early. There are several food and drinks stands within the Concert area as well as toilets. The Concert usually starts at 9pm and ends at 1am. A countdown to midnight begins about a minute before midnight and then the fireworks finale beings at midnight.

    The fireworks are set off from Edinburgh Castle, and the final fireworks finale lasts for several minutes and is set to music. Those attending the Ceilidh, Concert, or Street Party will be able to just look up to see them. Even if you are not taking part in any of the ticketed events, you can see if from multiple locations in the city as long as you can have a view of the area above Edinburgh Castle.

    A Guide to Celebrating Hogmanay in Edinburgh Scotland

    For example you can head to Calton Hill or perhaps you can see it from your hotel window or balcony. This is also a great time for that champagne or whisky toast! It is sung in many English-speaking countries although in my experience, few people actually know all the words! Only a shortened version of the song is sang at the Hogmanay festival as it is fairly long. However, there is a bit of a twist in Scotland that is often not done elsewhere as people in many countries cross arms during the entirety of the song.

    On Hogmanay, people often join hands with the people next to them, forming a circle. Then at the beginning of the last verse, everyone crosses their arms across their breast, so that the right hand reaches out to the person standing on their left and vice versa. Then when the music ends, everyone may move to the middle of the circle with their hands still joined. This is often not possible at the Concert of Street Party in a large crowd, but if you are at a smaller gathering in Scotland, they will likely do this.

    Some people get really creative! Check out our Loony Dook photos and advice to see if this is something you want to do! Tickets are limited due to space and safety concerns. Shell Commissions Historic Art Poster to Celebrate 25 Years at Beaulieu An emerging artist will be selected through a long-established commissioning process that Shell began almost years ago.

    The work … Continued. Medusa, a harbour defence … Continued. The Peugeot pick-up has been transformed from a … Continued. Brought to you by … Continued. New Boutique Guest House Opens in the Grounds of Hatfield House Set within its own garden Lawn House comprises of 15 unique bedrooms all traditionally decorated and all with ensuite facilities. Rural skills take centre stage for half-term in the Chatsworth Farmyard 26 May — 3 June Dry stone walling, fly fishing, wool weaving and spinning, falconry and a host of other rural skills see below for … Continued.

    British riders triumph at Chatsworth The large home crowd had plenty to cheer about as British riders scooped all four international novice classes and Laura … Continued. Jaguars Pounce on Beaulieu for Simply Jaguar — Sunday July 8th Returning for its third year, a sparkling selection of Jaguars old and new will be at the heart of this … Continued. Spies and soldiers at Beaulieu for May half-term Become a secret agent and follow the trail to discover hidden car parts and match them to the secret blueprint … Continued. Grand Medieval Joust at Leeds Castle: The show, packed with … Continued.

    Masses of … Continued. The Chatsworth … Continued. Successfully paired … Continued. Commissioned by Sir … Continued. Blenheim Palace Announces Charity of the Year Bridewell is a mental health recovery service which provides social and therapeutic horticulture in a working walled garden for adults … Continued.

    Discover Victorian Passions and Pursuits at Blenheim Palace Victorian Passions and Pursuits depicts the development of art throughout the 19th century with over 40 works on display by … Continued. New for at the Treasure Houses Beaulieu A stunning collection of 28 Lalique glass car mascots will be on show together for the first time as … Continued. Visit the Castle from 10th — 18th February and follow … Continued.

    Duke and Duchess share tales of the unexpected at Chatsworth The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, their son Lord Burlington, and many others will be sharing some of their favourite … Continued. Beaulieu River Invests in New Navigational Lights for Night Sailors New navigational lights have been installed to help night sailors on the Beaulieu River as part of ongoing investment in … Continued.