WHEN it comes to celebrating New Year's Eve, nobody does it quite like the Scots.

Hogmanay has achieved a legendary reputation as one of the best parties in the world and, if you've never been, now's the time to find out what you've been missing.

Manchester Airport has direct flights to all the best destinations this Hogmanay.

And with return fares (including tax) from £50.50, they're great value too, says this Manchester Airport Press Release.

So whether you're joining the hordes of revellers on Edinburgh's Princes Street, visiting Stonehaven's awe-inspiring Fireball Festival (nr Aberdeen) or marvelling at Inverness's magical Riverlights, Manchester Airport is your starting point for a fantastic night this Hogmanay.

EDINBURGH

What can we say? Edinburgh's Royal Bank Street Party is widely recognised as the best New Year's Eve bash in the world and 2002 will be no exception.

But you'll need a special pass to get in, available through membership of the First Foot Club (£15, apply online at

www.edinburgh-festivals.com/Hogmanay HERE The other big draw this year is the Concert in the Gardens, headlined by Ms Dynamite and Culture Club. Tickets are £32.50/£27.50 and include entry to the Royal Bank Street Party.

There are also loads of other great events to enjoy, including the Sevens Hills Fireworks at Midnight (Dec 31), the Winter Wonderland with ice rink and snow slides (East Princes Street Gardens; every day except Christmas and late New Year's Eve) and the Hogmanay Gardens funfair and Edinburgh Wheel (Princes Street Gardens; Dec 28 to Jan 1).

Getting there from Manchester Airport

British Airways: From £59 rtn. Six flights daily Monday-Friday, one on

Saturday and three on Sunday. Book at www.ba.com HERE or by calling 0845

7733377

bmi: From £52.50 rtn. Five flights daily Monday-Friday, two on Saturday

and two on Sunday. Book at www.flybmi.com HERE

More information about Hogmanay events try HERE or HERE

Everything you need to know about Edinburgh HERE

GLASGOW

Toploader, McAlmont & Butler and some yet-to-be-announced special guests will be leading the celebrations in Scotland's second city this Hogmanay.

They're headlining a concert on the King Street Car Park Main Stage (ticket hotline ? 0870 013 5464). But if you really want to let your head down, why not wig out at the free 60s, 70s and 80s party in Merchant City (no

tickets necessary)?

British Airways: From £59 rtn. Five flights daily Monday-Friday, one on

Saturday and two on Sunday. Book at www.ba.com HERE or by calling 0845 7733377

bmi: From £50.50 rtn. Five flights daily Monday-Friday, one on Saturday

and one on Sunday. Book at www.flybmi.com HERE

More information about Hogmanay events try HERE or HERE

Everything you need to know about Glasgow HERE

INVERNESS

What could be more romantic than spending New Year's Eve in the picturesque setting of the Scottish Highlands? And in Inverness, the Gateway to the Highlands and Islands, you'll find one of the most magical Hogmanay events of all. As the evening draws in, the River Ness will be illuminated by hundreds of Riverlights along its length. Organisers promise it will be like thousands of stars falling from the skies. There is also a fireworks party at Inverness Castle, which is said to have once been the palace of Macbeth.

Eastern Airways: From £184 rtn. Three flights daily Monday-Friday. Book at www.easternairways.com HERE or by calling 01652 680600

Everything you need to know about Inverness HERE

More information about Hogmanay events try HERE or HERE

DUNDEE

Hogmanay tends to be a low-key affair in Dundee but there are a number of special Hogmanay balls and dinner dances at the city's hotels. For instance, the Swallow Hotel has a clay pigeon shoot and dinner dance with a ceilidh band, a piper and a live 'Burns Address to the Haggis' (Tel: 01382

631200).

Eastern Airways: From £188 rtn. Three flights daily Monday-Friday. Book at www.easternairways.com HERE or by calling 01652 680600

More information about Dundee HERE

More information about Hogmanay events try HERE or HERE

ABERDEEN

Just 15 miles south of Aberdeen, you'll find one of Scotland's best-kept secrets ? The awe-inspiring Stonehaven Fireball Festival, which takes place every New Year's Eve. As the midnight chimes begin to strike, 60 hardy

villagers take to the streets swinging balls of fire above their heads.

The procession is accompanied by a horde of pipers until they reach the harbour and throw their fireballs into the sea. In Aberdeen, there is a fireworks extravaganza at midnight.

British Airways: From £89 rtn. Five flights daily Monday-Friday, two on

Saturday and three on Sunday. Book at www.ba.com HERE or by calling 0845 7733377

bmi: From £85.70 rtn. Three flights daily Monday-Friday, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Book at www.flybmi.com HERE

More information about Aberdeen HERE

More information about Hogmanay events try HERE or HERE