The Edinburgh Hogmanay started on Tuesday night with a torchlight procession at the beginning of a fabulous three-day New Year celebration party.

Led by 26 vikings from Shetland, a subarctic archipelago of Scotland, and six pipe bands with over 100 pipers and drummers, 8,000 people carrying flaming torches marched through the historic Old Town in the torchlight procession which culminates in a spectacular party and display of fireworks on Calton Hill.

Over 30,000 spectators enjoyed the procession and the spectacular finale of fireworks and light display viewed from Calton Hill and other spots at the city center.

Around 75,000 revellers from over 70 countries will sing the world's largest Auld Lang Syne at Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street party on New Year's Eve on Wednesday night, according to the event organizers.

On New Year's Day, the celebration continues with incredible new worlds hidden in 11 beautiful buildings and outdoor spaces in the city's Old Town, where audience can discover the very best in music, art and theater in a festival for free.

Moreover, over 1,000 people will take the chilly plunge in the River Forth under the renowned Forth Bridge for the annual and traditional event on Thursday, the first day of 2015.

In her New Year message delivered in Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon reviewed the sports events of Ryder Cup, and the Commonwealth Games staged in Scotland in 2014, as well as the Scottish independence referendum held on Sept. 18, 2014.

She called on people to harness the wonderful enthusiasm and engagement of 2014 and use it to build a fairer and more prosperous Scotland, wishing "all the very best for a happy, peaceful and prosperous 2015".

Year 2015 is also Scotland's Year of Food and Drink which begins on New Year's Day to promote the best of Scottish food and drink.

The Hogmanay event was produced in 1993 and is in its 22nd edition, with over 3 million revellers having enjoyed the Edinburgh street party over the last 22 years.