A Belgian tourist who travelled to Edinburgh for Hogmanay ended up having a night to remember despite being dejected after events were cancelled.
Jessica came to Edinburgh on a whim after learning that the Scottish band Texas were due to headline the festival.
However, events began to be cancelled and Jessica was facing the prospect of spending her solo trip in Edinburgh with nothing to do. She was waiting in line for the Torchlight Procession when she heard the news about the street party being cancelled.
She said: “I had my torch in my hand and was waiting in line when the cancellation was announced. It was the first disappointment of a long series.
“On Monday, December 30, the concert stage was set up, and the sound checks were even in progress when I passed by. We heard some artists and musicians rehearsing. I never imagined that these activities would also be cancelled.
“I find it amazing that no plan B has been considered to keep these activities indoors in the event of bad weather conditions. Scotland in December, without wind and rain, seems quite improbable to me.
“I imagine that this decision was not easy to make and I am aware that everyone’s safety must come first. I just regret that there wasn’t even a projection of a midnight countdown or something to remind us that we were celebrating the New Year. Result of the races: I was alone on the evening of December 31.“
Jessica was determined not to spend her New Year alone with nothing to do and took to social media, where she was able to connect with two women from France who were in a similar boat.
She said: “They were just as disappointed as me. We arranged to meet and spent the New Year together, at the Whiskey Bar. I will remember this New Year for a long time.”
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