in scotland, the traditional hogmanay celebrations were back in force for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. around 40,000 revellers packed the streets of edinburgh to enjoy a spectacular firework display, launched from around the iconic castle which dominates the city skyline. 0ur correspondent alexandra mackenzie was amongst the crowd and sent us this update. edinburgh welcomed in 2023 in style. there s nothing quite like hogmanay in scotland, and edinburgh welcomed back the street party this year. because of coronavirus, it was the first one in three years. there were around 30,000 people here on princess street in edinburgh. when it turned midnight, they sang auld lang syne, they ceilidh danced and just had a great time, enjoying the party. it didn t matter that it was a bit dreich as we say here in scotland it was quite cold, it was raining but everyone just forgot the weather and had a good old party.
reporter: the new king behind his mother s coffin in lock step with his siblings along edinburgh s royal mile. the silence only broken by royal salutes. and gunfire, one a minute from the city s iconic castle. inside st. giles members of the royal family and household as well as scottish politicians and representatives of the military and scottish civil society pay tribute and remember the queen s love of scotland. so we gather to bid scotland farewell to our late monarch, whose life of service to the nation and the world we celebrate and whose love for
royal salutes and gunfire. one minute from the city s iconic castle. insides angels, members of the royal family and household as well as scottish politicians are representative of the military and scottish civil society they pay tribute and remember the queen s love of scotland. so we gather to bid scotland farewell to our late monarch. whose life of service to the nation and the world, we celebrate. and whose love for scotland was legendary. the late monex casket, draped with the royal standard of scotland. and the nations crowd. that she received here in 1953.
it s very low key and relaxed. everyone is waiting at the barriers, looking over and out, waiting, waiting, and waiting. but as everyone knows, the queen s procession isn t far away. the traffic now has been shut off. it s a gentle chatter in the background as people talk with family and friends. this princess street, as you were talking about before, very famous in scotland and edinburgh, it s have people come to do their shopping. but today it will be remembered for a different reason, the reason the queen s final passage on this long, long and important journey back from london, resting in here in edinburgh for the next couple of days. but she ll be passing the iconic castle. we re on one side, you re on the other side, don. yeah.