Where to rock as the clock strikes 12

Here's our invaluable guide to the big bands, the top parties and the traditional shindigs this New Year's Eve, because you don't have to be in the capital to have a ball

INVERNESS

THE TWANG/PEATBOG FAERIES

What better than a bunch of exuberant lads who know an upbeat melody when they hear it to help you bring in the New Year with a smile on your face?

The Twang's blend of Madchester-influenced sounds and Streets delivery make for a charming, if somewhat nostalgic, performance every time. The Peatbog Faeries last month won the Best Live Act award at the Scots Trad Music Awards, and were part of the Commonwealth bid in Sri Lanka earlier this year, so they're perfect for starting a party with a bang.

Ironworks, Inverness (0871 7894 173), 8pm. www.highland2007.com

STIRLING

HOGMANAY PARTY

The Proclaimers take the party crowd through their multitude of hits, alongside the obligatory traditional bagpiping, provided by the Royal Burgh of Stirling Pipe Band, and a firework display on the stroke of midnight.

Stirling Castle Esplanade, tomorrow, 10pm (01786 274 000), £25, www.stirling hogmanay.com

GLASGOW

GEORGE SQUARE

THE VIEW/ AMY MACDONALD

A summer of festivals, a Mercury Music Prize nomination, a support slot with Babyshambles, then the headline position for Scotland's second-biggest Hogmanay street party. It's not been a bad year for Dryburgh's The View. They're old hands at this lark in comparison with Amy Macdonald, however, who has shot to the top over a matter of months with her folk-tinged songs, including 'Mr Rock & Roll'.

George Square, tomorrow, 9pm www.winterfestglasgow.com

OPTIMO HOGMANAY PARTY 2007

Dance giants Optimo present the musical wares of absurdist electronic music composer/performer Dan Deacon.

Old Fruitmarket, tomorrow, 10pm, tickets are £25, see www.optimo.co.uk or www.myspace.com/optimoespacio and www.dandeacon.com

JANEY GODLEY, TOM STADE, JOE HEENAN AND DOUGIE DUNLOP

Guaranteed to see us into the New Year with a bellyful of laughter, comedienne Janey Godley leads the Hogmanay bill.

Jongleurs Comedy Club, Glasgow (0844 844 0044), tomorrow, 6.30pm

HOGMANAY HOOTFEST!

Top comedy entertainment from the obviously in-demand Canadian smoothie Tom Stade, Sarah Millican and Kevin Bridges. Hosted by Susan Calman.

The Stand, Glasgow (0870 600 6055), tonight and tomorrow, 7.30pm

RAYMOND GUBBAY HOGMANAY GALA

Traditional knees-up full of belt-out-loud Scottish favourites, with River City's Joyce Falconer.

Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow (0141-353 8000), tomorrow, 7.30pm

STONEHAVEN

THE ANCIENT FIREBALL PROCESSION

Around 45 fireball swingers will take to the streets of Stonehaven at midnight, in a ceremony that can be traced back to before Christianity. Previous years have welcomed more than 10,000 revellers.

High Street, Stonehaven, tomorrow, www.hogmanay.net/events/stonehaven

ABERDEEN

CASTLEGATE HOGMANAY CONCERT 2007

A trio of Scottish acts bring in the New Year as the Granite City bolsters its efforts for Hogmanay. Travis are the headliners this year, ahead of their return to the studio to record a new album for 2008. Singer/songwriter Sandi Thom also has an album's worth of fresh material in the bag and due for release next year, and has promised to reveal some new tracks when she takes to the stage. Completing the homegrown triptych are Scottish tribal band Albannach with their 'Celtic battle drumming'.

Castlegate, Aberdeen, tomorrow, gates open at 7pm; concert begins at 9pm, tickets are free

www.aboutaberdeen.com/hogmanayaberdeen.php

DUNDEE

BROUGHTY FERRY DOOK

Broughty Ferry is set to play host to one of Scotland's finest Hogmanay institutions: that of jumping into a freezing cold river. While the Loony Dook is probably the most famous at South Queensferry, the Broughty Ferry Dook has been running the longest – for more than 30 years – and attracts more than 2,000 spectators.

Broughty Ferry harbour, 11am; arrive at 10.30am for registration (01382 775312)

HIGHLANDS

LOCH NESS

This six-day event boasts a flurry of music, activities and sporting events leading up to a New Year street party. Events take place around the surrounding area on the run-up to New Year's Eve.

Drumnadrochit Hotel (01456 450 100), tomorrow, 10pm, www.lochnesshogmanay.com

ORKNEY

SPOT THE BA'

New Year's Day's Ba' game is fiercely contested on the streets of Orkney each year, thanks to a tradition which kicked off in the 1800s, as more than 200 contestants join opposing scrums to move the ball either up the street or down the street. It's not quite the Pamplona Bull Run – it's so much scarier than that.

Mercat Cross, Kirkwall, Tuesday, www.bagame.com

PERTH

HOGMANAY PARTY

Compère Bruce Fummey hosts a night for all ages with music from Blazin' Fiddles and Southpaw and special guest Jim Malcolm.

Perth Concert Hall, tomorrow, 10pm (0845 612 6320), tickets are £12-£15, www.hogmanay.net/events/perth

COMRIE FLAMBEAUX PROCESSION

A host of revellers take on the ancient torchlight procession originally performed to drive evil spirits from the village. On the stroke of midnight, hundreds of people take to the street in one of the most traditional events in the Scottish Hogmanay calendar.

Comrie, Perthshire, tomorrow, midnight