High winds and damp squibs

Our traditional Hogmanay family meal was meant to be followed by a trip for some of us to Stirling's Hogmanay & New Year celebrations up at the castle. My cousins and their family usually travel up from Lancaster for the festivities and this year was no exception. So, after the extended family gathering in Stirling and a stop-off at my cousins' rented place to pick up supplies for later, we made our way up towards the castle.

It was oddly quieter than usual, both in terms of the number of people around and the lack of music coming from the castle esplanade. Some people were heading back down the hill and muttering comments about the Hogmanay show being cancelled, but there weren't a lot of police or stewards around to ask what was going on. Finally, as we approached the castle, we found some people in yellow jackets who confirmed that the show had indeed been called off.

A rather disappointing end to what had been until then an enjoyable evening. Back to my cousins' cottage and settled down with a cup of coffee for a few games of cards while watching the Hogmanay show on TV. Not what we had anticipated.

Stirling Castle glowed in the distance but the winds, having done for the staging and the portable toilets (so we were later informed) also put paid to the midnight firework show, as well as my intended pre- and post-New Year blips. A couple of drams of Glenlivet just about took way the disappointment.