I know it is a bit late in the day to be reminiscing about the New Year but I thought I'd write this to keep the memory going!

'We stood among the cheering crowd awaiting the spectacle of the fireballs to be swung through the streets of Stonehaven. This ancient ritual is re-enacted every year to bring in the New Year and after all the hype in the newspapers we were ready for some fire and danger. The piper started the ceremony off and as the strains of the bagpipe filled the air we thanked the weather gods for being kind as the night was mild and dry. It was actually perfect. We waited patiently on the sidelines with the swelling mass our cameras on the ready as the local townsfolk started to swing the glowing fireballs fiercely through the streets as the clocks struck midnight ushering in 2008.

People simultaneously hugged and kissed while taking in generous swigs of whisky and cheering on the fire ball artists. You could see the embers fly off in several directions and the man next to me said that his eyebrows felt a bit singed by the leaping flames! I enjoyed the warmth of the fire while we stood and watched them slowly burn out. There were fireworks that lit up the night sky and much merry revelment at the street party afterwards'.

Hogmanay in Stonehaven is recommended for all for it is quite an experience. I have a feeling that this year is going to be a good one.