Alternative ideas for New Year's in Edinburgh

Princes Street may be the famed place to be on New Year's in Edinburgh, but there are plenty of other places to head for to get the Hogmanay experience.

The historic Chai Teahouse will be celebrating New Year's in style, with plenty of canapés, innovative tea cocktails and live music.

It has an eastern-influenced décor with Moroccan furnishings and low lighting - just the thing if you enjoy Hogmanay away from the cold Edinburgh night.

The teahouse is also in the right part of Edinburgh to catch the city's midnight fireworks display over the castle.

Celebrations will start at 19:00 and a £10 ticket includes entry, one free drink and canapés throughout the evening.

And if you do not make it there on the big night, the teahouse has 82 different teas to detoxify and relax on New Year's Day.

The Chai Teahouse is on Merchant Street in Edinburgh's Cowgate area. For more information see www.chaiteahouse.co.uk

Food and jazz will be the mellow combination at Edinburgh jazz bar, Eighty Queen Street, for Hogmanay.

The bar will be employing the services of a "boutique" catering company, to provide a two set menus.

Dishes will include chicken and chorizo ravioli, oven roasted Aberdeen Angus beef fillet, a mixed fish and tiger prawn seafood parcel and death by chocolate tartlets, with a three-course set menu costing £30. Live jazz will be performed from 21:00 until late.

For more information see www.eighty-queen-street.com

Internationally-infused Hogmanay celebrations will also be taking place at Shaws Bistro & International Tapas Bar, who will be offering revellers with an appetite a complimentary canapés from each continent.

The restaurant and bar is located off the Royal Mile and has dining downstairs with a cocktail bar upstairs.

Very close to Edinburgh castle, it is also an ideal place to go to catch the fireworks. For more information see www.shawsrestaurant.com