The parade crowd at The Loony Dook (Photo Lloyd Smith)
When: 1st January 2014
Where: South Queensferry, Edinburgh, Scotland
£: It costs £8 to take part with money raised going to charity. Free to watch.
What is it?
Edinburgh is world-renowned for its New Year or Hogmanay celebrations as the city comes alive with concerts, street parties, fireworks and torchlit processions. However, one of the more unusual celebrations is the Loony Dook.
Since 1987 a large amount of wacky people have taken an annual plunge in the River Forth near the famous bridge. Mainly donned in fancy dress, people come from all over to take part in this quirky celebration.
The Loony Dook is a quirky part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay (Photo Lloyd Smith)
The Loony Dook first began when two men in the bar of The Moorings decided to do something different to celebrate the New Year (and perhaps clear their hangovers at the same time). Some of the locals decided to join in and so the crazy custom was born.
Today there are usually around 1000 brave participants as well as around 400 onlookers. It all kicks off with the Dookers Parade along the High Street which begins at 10.30am, before the participants head down to the beach and the ‘Dooking’ area to take the plunge.
You can cheer the Dookers on along Queensferry High Street including the pier and beach, but you are recommended to arrive early to get a good viewing spot.
More info: www.edinburghshogmanay.com/events/loony-dook and facebook.com/loonydook