Revellers flooded Scotland's streets as the country welcomed in 2026 despite hurricane-force winds battering parts of the country.
Despite heavy snow, ice and freezing fog predicted to provide a 'hazardous' start to the New Year, thousands took to the streets to celebrate.
A 50,000-strong crowd saw in the Bells at Edinburgh's famous Hogmanay street party.
Acclaimed indie-rock duo Wet Leg headlined the event, with around 10,000 people watching the show at Princes Street Gardens.
The band's set was also broadcast to the 40,000 people elsewhere at the street party.
Edinburgh's programme of events had started on Monday with the popular torchlight procession.
About 20,000 people watched the procession from the Meadows through the Old Town to the foot of Edinburgh Castle.
The culmination of the celebrations saw Wet Leg performance last night punctuated by fireworks from the castle at midnight, marking the start of 2026.
Edinburgh revellers got a sneak preview of the fireworks display
Nilo Latifi and Reza Shi from Iran ring in the New Year in Edinburgh
Sisters Lisi and Aura travelled to the Scottish capital from Gran Canaria
Visitors from more than 80 countries were said to have made their way to the city to enjoy the party atmosphere.
At midnight, more than 1,678 kg of fireworks - 10,000 shots - burst into the sky from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle to a unique curated soundtrack of music.
Partygoers had already enjoyed short bursts on the hour at nine, 10 and 11-o'clock.
Organisers monitored weather patterns closely with regular forecasts from the Met Office, and a chilly breeze never threatened to dampen spirits as organisers carried out their pledge to "transform the city into one giant party zone".
Visitors from around the world hailed the Scottish capital as a bucket list destination not to be missed.
Teresa MacLeod-MacLean, 59, a retired farrier from Arizona, USA, born in the Philippines, said: 'I came for Hogmanay last year and was cancelled due to the weather, so I had to come back.
'My grandfather and great grandfather, both Donald, came from Mull and my great grandmother Mary MacLeod was from the Isle of Lewis, so Scotland is in my blood.
'But I wanted to experience Hogmanay. 2026 is a year of new beginnings so this is exactly where I need to be to start the new year. Edinburgh feels like home to me.'
Jenny Taylor, 46, and daughters Kayce, 16, and Lucy, 13, from Streatham, Cambridgeshire, wanted a special celebration as a family.
She said: 'This is our first year as a family of three and we wanted to do something special. We decided to take a holiday and the girls wanted to come to Scotland.
'When I told friends we were coming to Edinburgh they said 'wow', Hogmanay in Edinburgh is the best in the world.
'This is the first time we've celebrated New Year properly, we all bought Edinburgh 2026 hats and sweaters, and I can't wait for the fireworks.'
Lucy said: 'Mum was suggesting Spain but I said Scotland because it’s amazing. It’s so nice and so beautiful.'
Kayce said: ‘I’m loving the pretty views and just celebrating knowing my family is with me.’
In Glasgow, bars and pubs were packed as locals and visitors marked the occasion. The annual Hogmanay party at Merchant Square saw people gather for a ceilidh in the run up to the Bells.
In the West End, Ashton Lane held its own street party with live entertainment, including street performers, bands and DJs. It was attended by around 3,000 people.
Earlier in the day, there were major celebrations in Wellington, New Zealand, Sydney in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japanese capital Tokyo.
Temperatures today are set to plummet to as low as minus 10C with forecasters predicting a white blanket of up to 12 inches to fall in some northern areas.
There were also winds of up to 70mph in parts of the north east, with 'blizzard conditions' caused by high winds expected in parts of the country over the coming days.
A yellow warning for wind across large parts of the north and north-east is due to end at 9am [Jan 1], while another yellow alert for snow and ice came into force at 6am.
The warning, which ends at midnight tomorrow [23.59 Fri], covers much of Central Scotland, Tayside, Fife, Grampian, the Highlands and Islands, Orkney, Shetland as well as Argyll and Bute.
It will be followed with another yellow alert for heavy snow and ice that extends into Stirling, Inverclyde and West Dunbartonshire, lasting until the end of the weekend [until 23.59 Sun].
But forecasters have warned that the wintry blast is likely to continue well into next week with more weather warnings possible.
And it states: 'Given wind strengths [on] Saturday some drifting of snow and temporary blizzard conditions are likely.'
The warning adds that lightning will also be an 'additional hazard'.
One of the country's oldest and most famous events - the Stonehaven Fireballs in Aberdeenshire - went ahead as planned, despite a yellow warning for winds of up to 70mph along the north-east coast.
Attracting around 10,000 people annually from across the world, the tradition sees around 40 men and women march along the High Street swinging giant balls of fire before throwing them into the harbour. It thought to date back at least 150 years and is said to burn off evil spirits so the New Year can start afresh.
On safety grounds, however, Stonehaven and District Community Council, which organises the town's annual New Year's Day Nippy Dip took the early decision to cancel the event.
In a statement, they said: 'Looking at the latest weather forecast(s) including a weather warning, we must put safety first thus have reluctantly taken the decision to cancel this year's Nippy Dip.'
Other traditional New Year's Day dips, however, are still scheduled to go ahead, including Dornoch Loony Dook and the annual New Year's Day Dip at Loch Insh, Inverness-shire.
With no major events planned for Aberdeen and Inverness, many residents either staged their own indoor events or travelled to smaller gatherings held across the north, including street parties in Dornoch and Grantown-on-Spey.
Confirming it was still going ahead just hours before the bells, Dornoch and District Community Association said: 'For years people have flocked from all over to experience a true Scottish Hogmanay in Dornoch, and we can't wait to bring it to you again.'
Orkney's annual Stromness Yule Log Pull also went ahead as scheduled but due to a yellow warning for strong winds, organisers took the decision to cancel the fireworks display on safety grounds.
The Met Office's deputy chief forecaster Mark Sidaway said: 'It certainly looks like we are in for a taste of winter as we welcome in the new year.'
George Fiddes, of Transport Scotland, urged motorists to plan ahead and drive to the conditions as the 'particularly cold weather' would 'likely impact driving conditions in the areas covered by the yellow warning'.
He added: 'There may also be disruption on other modes of transport, so please check with your operator before setting off if you're planning to travel by rail,ferry or air.'