Up, down & spinning around Prepare to be terrified as the annual carnival rolls into the SECC. The old favourites are back, including the waltzers, superspin and the dodgems, but to be truly terrified. you have to try the newest and scariest ride this year the ghost train. Just buy your all-day wristband and hold onto your stomach.

I Im-Bru Christmas & New Year Carnival SECC, Finnieston Quay, 0870 040 4000. Fri 19 Dec—Sun 11 Jan, times vary. £4—£16;£‘2.50 accompanying adult.

blast into the New Year. (‘olours NYli extravaganza features I)Js Trevor Reilly. Tom Wilson and Radio (‘lyde‘s (ieorge Bowie. spinning trance. funky house. R&B and old school rave.

The Mother of a Superfly Hogmanay Freak Out! No 2 Woodside Social Club. 32‘) North Woodside Road. 337 I643. Hogmanay. 9pm~3am. £l2. This monthly club glams it up for Hogmanay with its trademark tongue-in—cheek cabaret touch. There's live funk from Glasgow outfit (‘azale's Fat Laces. and Papa (Tool l)Js Billy and Batty who will be joining Duncan and Ian on the turntables for some Hogmanay hellraising.

Inside Out The Arches. Midland Street. 0901 022 0300. Hogmanay. 9pm—4am. £20. Introducing the young contenders on the superstar I)J circuit. tonight is a Future Heroes Masterclass. Residents Simon Foy. Alan Belshaw and l‘raser Latta are joined by I’etrae Foy. John Askew. Adam Sheridan and Richard Tulip.

Optimo The Art School. I67 Renfrew Street. 332 069]. Hogmanay. 10pm—5am. £25. ()ptimo is the most welcoming of musical churches and Johnny and Twitch pull out all the stops to make this Hogmanay bash as unforgettable as previous years at the Art School. The top notch line—up for the night includes live music from Midnight Mike and the Btig. and local leftf’ield l)Js Sister Motivator and Mingo-go guesting.

Beach Babies Various venues. 0845 22 55 l2l. www.welcome- scotland.com/tourism- scotland/scottish-beaches. Take a drive along the west coast. home to some of the fittest beaches in the world and enjoy a wee glass of chanipers as the sun rises on a New Year. (‘heck otit The Bay at the Back of the Ocean on Iona or the amorously titled llushinish

Bay on the Isle of Harris. Toast in the New Year as you lap up the crystal clear waters.

Last minute fun Iiscape the world of street parties and head off into the sunset with the help of a plethora of websites at your fingertips. Bargain Holidayscom (www.bargainholidays.com) is a good place to start. (‘all them on 0870 888

l l I. The juggernaut of online travel sites. though. is Iixpedia (www.cxpedia.co.uk). With a huge resource of info including car hire. hotels and competitions. this is sure to have the perfect Hogmanay destination for every disposition.

Cosy Cabins (‘repigill Cottage. Portree. Isle of Skye. 01478 613104. For something a little more relaxing. the Isle of Skye presents a tempting alternative with a range of cottages perfect for a relaxed dinner and tipple pre-bells. (‘repigill (‘ottage is a fully refurbished former blacksmith‘s cottage. on Iiileaii a’(‘heo -- perfect for a Hogmanay retreat. I’laces are still available for New Year bookings. See www.conimercepark.co.tik /skye/ and www.visitscotlandcoin for a full range of accommodation.

Romancing the Stone Argyll Tourist Board. I’ront Street. Inveraray. 08707 200 616. Iinjoy a mythical Hogmanay as you toast in 2004 in all its old world glory under the unearthly atmosphere of ancient standing stones. The slanting stones at Temple Wood Stone in Argyll provide the perfect celebratory location. The site is l.5kni south of Kilmartin village. Take the first minor road on the right going south on the A816. and after 500m park beside the Temple Wood stone circles. The standing stones are in the fields opposite the circles.

Divine decadence You don‘t have to boast the bank balance of Madge or Stella to hire a castle in Scotland. The list of Hogmanay hangouts is endless Fenton Tower and Belle Isle ('astle to name but two -< and they‘re all available for pre-bells frolicking. Prices start at a non-too-shabby £1200 and go tip to £8000 depending on locale and number of guests. (‘heck out www.celticcastles.cont/exclusive__use.a

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Pollok Park 2060 I’ollokshaws Road. 636 6920/632 929‘). New Year‘s Day. open all day. Free. New Year doesn‘t have to be about drinking. partying and snogging (it helps. of course). You could. should the mood take you. start the year off on a good foot by donning your wellies arid clearing smoky lungs iii Pollok I’ark. Blow those alcohol-lace cobwebs away.

Tennent’s l‘)l Byres Road. 34] l024. New Year's Day.

I lain-midnight. For a bar like Tennents to be slitit any day of the year would be utterly unacceptable. Thanks to its atmosphere and real ales. it’s not a social affair btit a way of life. It's open fora ftill l3 hours just for much- needed hair of the dog purposes.

Bon Accord 153 North Street. 248 4427. New Year‘s Day. noon 3.30pm. It‘s the morning after the night before and the only thing to beat the hangover is not to stave. stave. stave. Apologies AA folks. The Bon Accord is an ideal boozer with plenty of real ales to choose from and over 50 malt whiskies. And who could forget the

chess. drafts and large-screen 'I'V‘.’

COMPETITIONI!

We have six family tickets to give away. Each ticket allows unlimited rides for two adults and two children. To enter just tell us where this year’s carnival is being held. Answers on an email marked ‘CARNIVAL’ to promotions©list.co.uk or on a postcard to The List, 14 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1TE. Deadline for entries is Wed 17 Dec. Please include a daytime telephone number and postal address. Usual List rules apply.

The Universal 57 5‘) Satichiehall Lane. 332 889‘). New Year‘s Day.

5pm midnight. If you‘ve spent the day in bed recovering or otit doing family rounds. then the Universal opens in the nick of time. Tucked tip in a latte behind Sauchiehall Street. it has everything you require fora drink and a gossip about last night’s hoolie.

The Three Judges I-H l)tinibarton Road. 337 3055. New Year‘s Day. 6 l lpm. The refurbished Judges opens for a few hours to accommodate its regulars and all those intent on maintaining alcohol levels. One of the few real ale ptibs that prove stylish drinking is a life choice and not

just for (‘liristiiias

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STREET PARTY GLASGOW’S HOGMANAY Ringing in the bells

Hogmanay is a confusing time of year. Do you stay in with the family. sip sweet sherry and fight with the relatives or do you venture out and loiter in a sodden queue for a club? Well. you don‘t have to do either when George Square is filled with everything your heart c0uld possibly desire to see in the new year.

After the vastness of previous years' celebrations, things have been scaled down. This year there's only one party happening but this is good news. my revelling friends: you no longer have to decide which stage to patronise nor fight through the masses to find your mates. Instead, you can see everything in George Square. Radio Clyde is host for the evening and aims to keep things lively with plenty of music. chat and shenanigans. But the big names for the night are violinist Simone Welsh, playing traditional Scottish fare, Speedway. who rock things tip Glasgow stylee. and the Proclaimers. who need no introduction.

Tickets have sold Otit for the event. but for those in possession there are a few things you should remember in order to maximise your partying potential. Take yetir drink in plastic containers otherwise you'll have a very sombre Hogmanay. Wrap up warm and be ready for rain -- this ain't Newcastle and standing for hours plays havoc with the chilblains. Take advantage of the food stalls to keep you from keeling over and make sure you have a meeting point should any of your buddies stray. Public health warning over. Have a brilliant time: eat. drink. sing. dance and be very. very merry. (Jane Hamilton)

I George Square, 0870 013 4030. Wed 31 Dec. 0.30pm.

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11 Dec 2008 8.l;iii1)t)()-1 THE LIST 117