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 (incl 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.

* Fare for return flight to Glasgow with bmi through online booking

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). 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). More information at

www.edinburgh-festivals.com/Hogmanay.

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 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

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 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

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 or by calling 01652 680600

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 or by calling 01652 680600

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 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

For more information about Hogmanay events, call Visit Scotland on 01463

716996.