Airline passenger news and views

This New Year I had the fantastic opportunity to go to Edinburgh in Scotland for what turned out to be the perfect break.

The Scots certainly know how to throw a party, and it doesn't get any bigger than during New Year's Eve celebrations. The Hogmanay festivities start early - a whole day early - with a spectacular torchlight procession along the Royal Mile. You needed to wrap up warm that was for sure, down a wee dram and then we joined the thousands of flame wielding locals who marched down from Parliament Square through Edinburgh's streets accompanied by a wall of bagpipes before congregating for a dramatic fireworks display.

In a country not known for its balmy weather, the celebrations continued - mostly outdoors - for the next three days. New Year's Eve itself is given over to a raucous street party, a ticketed event with staged live music and hordes of people dancing into the early hours. The atmosphere is nothing short of electric. The culmination of the fireworks above the impressive Edinburgh Castle, itself steeped in history, only served to make the whole event unforgettable.

On New Year's Day, we wondered about the city (with our rather sore heads) and enjoyed the fun of the funfair and took time out to explore and continue to take in the party atmosphere. The following day we had regained slightly more energy and decided to head to Edinburgh Castle itself. 

The imposing hilltop fortress has spent centuries being fought over, whether in the role of royal seat or military base. Highlights include the tiny St Margaret's Chapel, from the 1100s; Crown Square, built in the 15th century; and the dark hammer-beam roof of the Great Hall, built by James IV in 1511. Unfortunately we did not get to hear the one o'clock gun, fired every day apart from Sundays, a tradition dating back to 1861, when it served as a signal to ships in the Firth of Forth.

We did not manage the rather long walk up Arthur's Seat.  Or to amble along the paths through Holyrood Park - some of which lead all the way to the summit, if you are willing to brave the elements. It's worth the 30-minute climb for the hazy winter views, of the shimmering Firth of Forth to the North and the Pentland Hills to the South. However, it is something we intend to do on our return visit in the not too distant future.

Edinburgh is a city, which has masses to offer and one visit is simply not enough.