In pictures: Hogmanay kicks off with flames in Edinburgh

Thousands have taken to the streets for the Scottish celebrations.

Celtic Fire Theatre company PyroCeltica perform ahead of the torchlight procession on the Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh. Getty

Hogmanay brought over 150,000 visitors from all over the world to Edinburgh on Sunday. Getty

A member of PyroCeltica brandishes a flaming sword ahead of the torchlight procession. Getty

The new year celebrations run over three days. Getty

Three members of PyroCeltica perform at the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty

Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession. Reuters

Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession. Reuters

Members of PyroCeltica pose in front of Edinburgh Castle in advance of Edinburgh's Hogmanay torchlit procession down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain, December 30, 2018. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - DECEMBER 30: Celtic Fire Theatre company, PyroCeltica lead the torchlight procession down the Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations on December 30, 2018 in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is expected to bring in excess of 150,000 visitors from all over the world to the city for the traditional New Year celebrations, which run over three days.(Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty

Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty

Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. Getty

Members of the public take part during the torchlight procession on Edinburgh's Royal Mile for the start of the Hogmanay celebrations. PA/AP

The Scottish new year celebration of Hogmanay has kicked off in Edinburgh with a spectacular torchlight procession.

The procession along the city's Royal Mile marked the official start of the annual tradition and sees bagpipes, dances and fire-laden activities taking place in the streets.

Scots are given the first two days of the year as a public holiday, and celebrations officially close with the Message from the Skies celebration on 25 January.

This year's Hogmanay celebrations will mark ties between Scotland and Europe, as the March deadline for Brexit looms. Organisers have reported a boost in ticket sales from EU nations for this year's celebration.

As well as making a nod to Europe in the procession theme, young people were also included as part of the 2018 Year of the Young People. Fourteen wicker sculptures, designed by young people, adorned the procession route, and others played instruments, danced and took part in other festivities.

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