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Episode details

World Service,31 Dec 2019,26 mins

How lucrative is Hogmanay for Scotland?

World Business Report

Available for over a year

Hogmanay celebrations in Scotland are famed for welcoming the new year with aplomb, and the BBC’s Susannah Streeter is on the ground to see how lucrative this particular party is for local businesses. It isn’t without controversy however – there are restrictions which prevent local residents from holding their own get-togethers during the event – with some saying a ‘social curfew’ is effectively imposed on them. We speak to Rachel Sivills from Underbelly, which organises Edinburgh Hogmanay, about the concerns. We also look at whiskey - a huge money-spinner for Scotland - with Karen Betts, the chief executive of the Scotch Whiskey Association, as the industry suffers from recent US tariffs on some of its products. Finally, we gaze ahead with the BBC’s Scotland Editor, Douglas Fraser, at what the new year has in store for the country – and how shortbread and cashmere sweaters fit in to it. (Image: Men dressed as Vikings take part Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh. Credit: Roberto Ricciuti/Getty Images)

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