Welcome to the Hoog Hogmanay 2009!
When Thursday 31 December
Time from 7pm - 3am
Doors from 7pm
Cost £50.00 inc booking fee
Contact info@thehoog.co.uk
Over 18's only
Hogmanay will be live and kicking again this year at the George St Assembly Rooms with the biggest, best indoor ceilidh party, the Hoog.
There will be three stages of band entertainment.
The Hoog sees the return of the hugely popular rock ceilidh band Teannaich, who will have the Music Hall chandelier shaking once again. They've played around the world from Madrid to St Petersburg, but will be coming back to the home of Hogmanay to see in the new year.
Also playing this year is A Whisky Kiss – they mix classic disco and contemporary cool house hits in with live ceilidh music. This year alone they have played from Hampden Park Glasgow to Central Park Manhattan, Dubai and T in the Park. We are delighted to announce they have chosen Edinburgh for Hogmanay and are Hooging it up!
The Hoog: Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the Hoog?
- When is it?
- What is Hogmanay?
- Why is Hogmanay so special in Scotland?
- The "Hoog" thing again - what is it?
- Big Love Day, but why Scandinavia, I thought you said Scotland?
- Where is the Hoog?
- When are the tickets available?
- What time do I show up at the Hoog?
- What will I do at the Hoog?
- What is a Ceilidh?
- So it's country dancing?
- Will I meet the love of my life and do you guarantee this?
- What do I wear?
- Should I take the car?
- What else happens at the Hoog?
- What happens if my tummy gets empty?
- I Don't have Street Party tickets - but I want to see the fireworks
- What do I get for my money?
- Is this good value?
- 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?
- Why should I choose The Hoog over other indoor events?
What is the Hoog?
The Hoog is the name given to the best indoor Hogmanay party in Scotland.
When is it?
Why Hogmanay of course! To be precise it's December 31st 2009.
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?
Edinburgh's Assembly Rooms at 54 George Street, Edinburgh EH2 2LR. They are 55 degrees 57'11.40"N and 3 degrees 11'55.50" W.
Click here for a map to the Assembly Rooms
When are the tickets available?
Tickets are available NOW! You can purchase via PayPal or credit card by clicking here.
Tickets can also be purchased by phoning 0131 220 3234 which is our Tickets Scotland hotline.
Tickets can be purchased and /or collected in person at Tickets Scotland, 121 Rose St, Edinburgh EH2 3DT
What time do I show up at the Hoog?
Doors are at 7pm and entertainment runs from 7.30pm – 3am.
What will I do at the Hoog?
The Hoog 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. 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.
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! FYI most people come proper dressed up.
If you are male and wearing a kilt at the Hoog we recommend that you leave your Sgian Dubh at home. The nice security people at the door insist that they are checked in at the cloakroom - and this can be a little bit fussy.
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.
And while we are talking about the cloakroom - please bear in mind that come 02:00, we do tend to get a bit of a rush on, and there can be a fair bit of a rammy, stushie and even a stramash when 1600 Hoogsters all want their coats, dancing shoes and aunty Gertie's flowery umbrellas at once. If stampedes aren't your thing, you may wish to leave 10 mins early! And please remember the Hogmanay season good of cheer and patience when collecting from the cloakroom. The facilities are free to use and it's a big operation with lots of nice people working very hard to make it smooth and slick - however, by the very nature of the logistics of what it actually entails, there can quite often be a wee delay or a hiccup on the way oot.
Should I take the car?
We don't really advise it. Some parts of the city will be hoaching and many of the roads will be closed off. Go here for more travel information.
What else happens at the Hoog?
There will be a DJ or two doing some stuff at different times and at different parts of the venue. There are nice chill out areas too.
What happens if my tummy gets empty?
We're glad you asked. Despite the outrageous money we have had to pay the staff to work on Hogmanay, we are preparing to have stovies and good quality chips available. We don't want to get any more elaborate than that at the moment. In previous years we had a more extensive menu, but we actually found that all people really want is some nice chips! We know it sounds rather Bohemian, but it was the experience from what we threw away in the past that drove us to this decision. You will be too busy partying to sit down to a three courser!
There will be six fully licensed bars with all kinds of stuff.
I Don't have Street Party tickets - but I want to see the fireworks
A few people seem to like doing this. Basically, before the bells, you can quickly exit the Hoog, run down George Street and stand in the junction of Castle street to watch the fireworks over the top of the Castle - then a few minutes later run back in again.
The issues you need to remember about this are:
- You have to check your coat back out then in again if you want to stay warm - this can be a jiggle but it's okay.
- You are likely to lose your drink you just bought since you can't take drinks out of the venue - it's a "down in one" at the doorway!
- You have a limited visibility of the fireworks through the gap in the buildings.
We don't think it's worth seeing fireworks on the basis of these three niggles - but, like we say, a few people seem to like doing it every year - so go ahead if that's your thing.
What do I get for my money?
In a nutshell, the cost of the ticket gets you into the best indoor party in Edinburgh. There you can dance and experience excellent entertainment on three stages and on the two floors of the huge Assembly Rooms. Excellent food and drink are obtainable, but are not included in the ticket price.
Is this good value?
Yes. None of the event organisers live in castles or drive nice cars! This is a quality event that understands the needs of a discerning public. Check out our competition on the night - we won't waste your time with attempts to prove stuff to you here - you'll see.
Can I book lots of tickets at once?
Yes, we love party groups.
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 2010 as a new and better person. Make January the 1st a good way to start.
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.
With great food, great bands and also being the only indoor event which is part of the Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations on 31st December - we think your choice is fairly obvious.
I really can't think of any more questions
Good! But if you do, email info@thehoog.co.uk If you have an emergency please call our production office on 0131 444 1111.
