Welcome to the Hoog Royale!

The Hoog Royale: Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for the Hoog at the Assembly rooms information? Well that's a different party, please visit The Hoog page

• What is the Hoog Royale?
• What's the difference between "The Hoog" and "Hoog Royale"?
• When is it?
• What is Hogmanay?
• Why is Hogmanay so special in Scotland?
• Sorry, the "Hoog" thing again - what is it?
• So what's a big love day?
• Where is the Hoog Royale?
• What time does the entertainment and dancing start?
• So there's a Ceilidh, is that country dancing?
• Will I meet the love of my life and do you guarantee this?
• What do I wear?
• What happens if my tummy gets empty?
• Can I buy Hoog Royale tickets on the night?
• What do I get for my money?
• Can I book lots of tickets at once?
• Are there any concessions?
• Can children come?
• Should I drink too much alcohol, become anti-social and then hate myself for it in the morning?
• I might lose my ticket - can I get a new one?
• Can I smoke at the Hoog Royale?
• Why should I choose The Hoog over other indoor events?

What is the Hoog Royale?

The Hoog Royale has been added as a special extra Hogmanay venue and event due to popular demand.

What's the difference between "The Hoog" and "Hoog Royale"?

The Hoog Royale is in a smaller and more exclusive venue.
It is also easier to get there by car and is not right in the centre of the Street Party celebrations, which is good for those less attracted by mixing with the 80,000 people on the streets.

When is it?

Why Hogmanay of course! To be precise it's December 31st 2007.

What is Hogmanay?

Have you been living in a cave? - Hogmanay is Scotland's New Years Eve. New Year is more special in Scotland than any other country in the world.

Why is Hogmanay so special in Scotland?

Go and ask your forefathers. Everyone has Scottish ancestors somewhere. While you're at it, find out what tartan you should wear.

Sorry, the "Hoog" thing again - what is it?

The word Hoog comes from "Hoog min dag" - It means "Big Love Day" in some Scandinavian language or other - it's probably where Hogmanay came from originally.

I love the idea of a Big Love Day, but why Scandinavia, I thought you said Scotland?

It's back to your forefathers again for that one - trust us, this is a relation celebration, and we're all related!

Where is the Hoog Royale?

The Queens Hall, Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9JG 7:30pm for opening doors and 2am for closing doors - we print this on your ticket in case you forget.

What time does the entertainment and dancing start?

8pm and then on 'till the end.

What will I do at the Hoog Royale?

The Hoog Royale is a proper Scottish party including a full on Ceilidh.

A what?

Ceilidh! - So you have been living in a cave! It's pronounced kay-lee. Go here for the full description, but basically you get to hear the very best contemporary and traditional Scottish bands playing the most infectious and exciting reels, jigs and perhaps even the odd fling.
What you tend to find is that the music is so uplifting that you often start to get some sort of dancing urge - we make an allowance for this!

So it's country dancing?

Well, nothing to do with Country & Western but yes ceilidh is a form of country dancing - It should be noted though that Ceilidh is considered mainstream "de rigeur" in Scotland rather than twee or parochial.
The dances themselves are easy and quick to learn and do. The mood of a ceilidh (even when it isn't Hogmanay) becomes very inclusive and family like.
Think "Whisky Galore" rather than "Donnie Darko". It's the Big Love Day - we don't want to sound all hippy and so on - but you just start to love everyone. It's unavoidable.

Will I meet the love of my life?

Yes - (unless you bring them with you in the first place of course).

You guarantee this?

Well, okay maybe not fully guaranteed - but the point is that, because of the ensemble nature of the dancing and sheer fun of it all, this is a social gathering which is traditionally very rich in the real spirit of friendship. You just can't beat it!

What do I wear?

We think you will look great in full Scottish attire - no matter where you come from. If you want to flavour your current party frock, we suggest some tartan additions with perhaps a sprig of heather. You can hire Kilts from www.hector-russell.com.

If you come in jeans and trainers... well you're just as welcome, but it would be lovely if you embraced at least some of the Scottish flavour besides, remember the "love of your life" thing above? You should really make the effort!

Please also wrap up warm and bring wet weather stuff for your journey. We have full cloakroom facilities which will be efficiently manned..... with, well.... efficient men.

What happens if my tummy gets empty?

We're glad you asked. Us "Happy Hoogsters" have worked hard to provide excellent hot food and cold drinks which will available everywhere - and despite the outrageous money we have had to pay the staff to work on Hogmanay, we've done a good job of keeping the price down too. We don't have the menus completed yet, so email us if you would like a copy sent to you once it becomes available. Don't let this be a hinge factor in whether or not you buy tickets though, the Hoog Royale will sell out before the menus are ready. We can assure you!

Can I buy Hoog Royale tickets on the night?

NO! Please take note of this very important note: Ticket sales for the Hoog Royale will sell very quickly. We only have 450 tickets to sell!

What do I get for my money?

A smaller more exclusive venue then The Hoog, with the top quality, Blaze in The Bothy to entertain you and get you jigging. John Cowan and the Lairds of Dixieland will be popping in for a Dixie style "breather". And if that's not enough! We've got a DJ to take you though to the wee small hours.

Can I book lots of tickets at once?

Yes, we love party groups - but we're not so keen on ticket touts. This means that ticket purchasing becomes a little bothersome if you need more than six tickets. Basically, if you are in a very big group, we suggest you buy tickets in batches of six using different friends, with different credit cards registered at different addresses. This way we can cut down on re-sellers. Sure, go and buy them on eBay for twice the price (if you can guarantee they are genuine) if you want to - we are just trying to control this little aspect to the industry. Basically six tickets per person, per booking, per card - we're sure you get what we're trying to say here.

Are there any concessions?

No.

Can children come?

Sorry 18s or over.

Should I drink too much alcohol, become anti-social and then hate myself for it in the morning?

No. You are to drink alcohol using the responsibility and control you have learned over the years. You have to make it through 2008 as a new and better person. Make January the 1st a good way to start.

I might lose my ticket - can I get a new one?

Bad news here I'm afraid. As this is not a seated event you must keep hold of the ticket you bought - we cannot transfer your booking onto another ticket. All specific ticketing information is managed by Edinburgh Hogmanay, please read the terms and conditions which are written on the back of the ticket. If you lose your ticket, there is nothing for it but to buy a new one.

Can I smoke at the Hoog Royale?

No. This is an indoor event. However, we will be allowing street access if you would like to smoke outside. You might want to consider giving up for New Year.

Why should I choose The Hoog over other indoor events?

We think you will be very happy with our choice of venue at the Assembly Rooms. It's an atmospheric Georgian style building in the heart of the city centre, perfect for celebrating Hogmanay in Scotland.

The Queens Hall, while further out of the city, is still only 10 minutes walk from the street party barriers. Both venues are within easy reach of the major city centre hotels, so you won't end up having to pre-book your taxi and pay £40. Because you can simply walk instead.

With great food, great bands and also being the only indoor event which is part of the Edinburgh Winter Festival - we think your choice is fairly obvious.

I really can't think of any more questions

Good! But if you do - phone the box office on +44(0)8700 40 40 10 or Rona our "Princess of Hoog Production" on +44(0)131 624 4447 and check this site for updates in the lead up to the big day.