Chaos, fun and fireballs: Working the Hogmanay night shift

As Hogmanay approaches, spare a thought for those who make our celebrations happen. The unsung heroes working - sometimes without pay - while we party.

Despite dodging drunken revellers, clearing up all kinds of mess and keeping people safe, some workers say they really enjoy the Hogmanay night shift.

Edinburgh's trams are operating throughout the night on New Year's Eve, running approximately every 10 minutes.

About 30 people will be working on the trams, in the control room and out on the network.

Last year thousands of party goers used the late-night tram service.

Operations controller, Holly Thompson, told BBC Scotland News: ''I'm expecting chaos, I'm expecting fun and to be very busy but again as long as we keep the network safely running and make sure the drivers and the TSAs (conductors) are okay, as well as the passengers.''

''I've had my plenty share of parties and Hogmanay, so this year I'll make money instead of spending it.''

After midnight, all trams are free so people can get home safely.

There's no charge to any passengers until the start of "normal" service around 05:30 on 1 January.

It is estimated several thousand people will use this service.

Tram driver, Michele Mastromarino, said: ''There will be so many people and obviously people have a few drinks so might step on the track, it happens quite often even on normal days, and we just need to be ready.

''I hope somebody comes on with some music maybe.''

Ticket supervisor Tammy Lennon said she enjoys working on New Year's Eve.

''I just like making sure people are getting home safely and it's good fun," she said.

"I just like being out here in the mix of it all.''

In Stonehaven, hundreds of people will watch the annual fireball parade.

Tradition says the ceremony, which is due to get under way at about 22:00, scares away the spirits from one year and brings good luck for the next.

Crowds gather to watch the procession make its way through the town, with the fireballs being thrown into the harbour.

Volunteers have been essential in doing much of the preparation work that goes in to hosting the event and they will also be working on the night to make sure things run smoothly.

Kevin Boyne is Stonehaven fireball co-ordinator.

"I won't lie to you, it's extremely stressful in the build-up," he said

''On the night you're always worrying something will go wrong.

''We put so much planning into it that nothing should go wrong but you've got to be ready for it."

He added: ''At the end when the final firework goes off, after the fireballs are finished, the whole crowd's cheering and it's a buzz you can't really describe.

"It's just fantastic.''

Restaurant and bar staff in Glasgow have been preparing for a busy night at the Ashton Lane street party.

About 3,000 people are expected at the event in the city's west end.

Nisha Dhaka will be working as a waitress and supervisor at the Ashoka Indian restaurant, as she has done on previous Hogmanays.

She said: ''It's quite difficult. You're working and outside you can see people having fun.

''A part of you feels like I want to be outside, who wants to work? But I think it's fun actually."

She added: ''It's nicer sometimes to take a step back and just see the people enjoying it.

''I would say it's 80% working and 20% looking out of the window to see what's going on because we want to be out there too.''