Revellers observe a minute's silence for the victims

Tens of thousands of people attending Scottish celebrations on Friday evening stopped to pay their respects to the dead, injured and homeless.

There was a one-minute silence at the Edinburgh party and a lone police piper played a lament in Glasgow.

Street collections were made for the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) which is leading the UK aid effort.

About 100,00 people gathered in Edinburgh for the capital's street party.

Large screens featured flags of those countries affected and displayed the DEC website and telephone number as collections were taken.

Paused to reflect

In a mood of sombre reflection, the crowd fell silent for a minute at 2245 GMT as a mark of respect.

Tens of thousands in Glasgow had also paused to reflect as the piper played Amazing Grace in a lament for the dead.

The weather was far kinder this year and Scotland's Hogmanay celebrations passed without the problems seen last time round when the Edinburgh and Aberdeen celebrations had to be called off.

Revellers with tickets for the concert in Edinburgh's Princes Street Gardens were treated to music from New York bands Blondie and the Scissor Sisters.

A dazzling display of fireworks lights up the Edinburgh sky

Just before the massive fireworks display which lit up the night sky in the capital, a piper from the Scots Guards - who are currently stationed in Basra, Iraq - played the Highland Cradle Song as he stood on the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle.

Standing with him was Staff Sergeant Thomas McKay - known affectionately as Tam the Gun - who fired a cannon heralding the start of the fireworks spectacular.

The world famous display, which for many is the high point of the Edinburgh event, lasted for several minutes.

It was then down to the Scissor Sisters to end the festivities with their set.

Revellers in Glasgow's George Square were treated to music from a range of acts, with Snow Patrol topping the bill.

In Aberdeen, about 40,000 people enjoyed Scottish acts Deacon Blue, Hue and Cry and Fame Academy winner David Sneddon.

Tam the Gun gets the fireworks off to a roaring start

There were an estimated 7,000 people in Stirling to see Lulu at the Castle Esplanade and thousands attended the annual Fireballs Ceremony at Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire.

For people in the Highland capital of Inverness a fireworks display was laid on for the evening and drew a crowd of about 2,000.

Reflecting on the Edinburgh event, Malcolm Dickson, Deputy Chief Constable of Lothian and Borders Police said: "Once again, it has been a very successful street party and atmosphere.

"This is a tribute to a good natured crowd, which showed good common sense and co-operation with police and stewards."

Edinburgh's Lord Provost Lesley Hinds said: "Our Hogmanay celebrations are internationally renowned and this year we really showed the world how to party."