The Loony Dook 2026: Everything You Need To Know + Alternatives!

Not satisfied with an epic fireworks display, a massive street party and a torchlight procession to celebrate the new year (which they call Hogmanay), the folks of Scotland have also instituted an annual tradition known as the Loony Dook.

This primarily involves waking up early after your New Year’s Eve festivities and throwing yourself into the sea. The sea around Scotland is not known to be warm at the best of times, and is certainly frigid on the 1st of January. Still, if you’re looking to properly wake yourself up, it’s a good way.

One of Scotland’s more well-known Loony Dooks is held in South Queensferry, which this guide focuses on.

As well as the South Queensferry Loony Dook I’ve also included information on other Loony Dook options in Scotland, including a number of Loony Dook options near to Edinburgh. The photos and main information in this guide focus on the South Queensferry location though to help you plan for that.

Many of the Loony Dooks in Scotland involve getting yourself dressed up in the wackiest outfit you can find, then throwing yourself into the sea. Some may also include some form of entertainment.

I have actually done the South Queensferry Loony Dook in Scotland as a participant and am delighted to have done so. I have also been to it a few times as a spectator, which is nearly as much fun.

In today’s post I’m going to do two things. I’m going to share with you some photos of the madness that is the annual Loony Dook tradition in Scotland, and then I’m going to give you information should you wish to attend a Loony Dook event yourself – either as a spectator or as a participant.

Let’s start with the photos, because they’re so much fun!

Table of Contents:

Photos from the Edinburgh / South Queensferry Loony Dook

If you’re going to dress up as a bridge, make it the Forth Rail Bridge.

Because even when dooking, you’ve got to have your tub of porridge ready.

Dookers marching through South Queenferry, led by a drum band.

In they went…

and went..

The water is not as warm as these images makes out.

The Loony Dook 2026: Everything You Need To Know + Alternatives!

Farewell Captain Hook.

We woke the spirit of Scotland.

Hulk made an appearance.

As did Wonder Woman.

Up, up and away!

It was this cold.

These folks came as photographers.

Lovely day for it!

And that’s what the South Queensferry Loony Dook looks like! Now, to help you plan your own attendance at this fun event.

History of the South Queensferry Loony Dook

The event has changed over the years, which is why some information you will read about the South Queensferry Loony Dook will be out of date. Here’s a brief timeline of the history of the event.

1st January 1987 -the first Loony Dook in South Queensferry took place when some friends decided to throw themselves into the Firth of Forth as a hangover cure. This event grew into an annual informal tradition
In the 1990s, the event became popularised when it was included in the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme of events, although it was still relatively informal
From 2011 – 1st January 2020, the event was formally managed as part of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations, and a fee was charged to take part. A parade with live music was added as part of the event, and numbers were limited.
The event was cancelled from the 2021 – 2023 Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme of events, and as of 2023 was no longer an official part of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
As of 1st January 2022, the event is once again being run by the local community, and there is no fee to take part. It is again a more informal arrangement, although safety is taken seriously still with RNLI Lifeboat members on hand. There’s no longer a parade or live entertainment, but it gets a lot of attendees and lots of people dress up for the occasion.

Hopefully that makes sense! We’re just happy that the event is taking place again and the local community has made the considerable effort to put it together.

Information on attending the Loony Dook 2026 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Is the 2026 Loony Dook Cancelled?

No, the 2026 Loony Dook in South Queensferry is going ahead, with water entry at 9.30am according to this Facebook post. 2026 marks the 40th anniversary of the Loony Dook in South Queensferry!

Note that information on the Loony Dook at South Queensferry is normally posted on this Facebook page in late November. However, information was only shared on that page on the 31st December for the 2026 event. However, the organiser has posted a number of updates in other local Facebook groups to say that the event is taking place as a volunteer run effort again.

The volunteer managed Loony Dook has been running successfully since 1st January 2022, with successful events held in 2023, 2024 and 2025 as well.

There are also a number of other Loony Dook events taking place on the 1st January 2026 across Scotland. See the section of this guide on alternative Loony Dooks for more options.

Note that there was previously an “official” Loony Dook, which was organised as part of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay. That “official” event was cancelled in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and was effectively dropped from the “official” Edinburgh’s Hogmanay programme in 2023.

How to Register for the Loony Dook

In previous years, when the event was managed as part of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, you had to register and pay a fee in advance.

For 2026, there is no registration for the South Queensferry event, and the event is free to enter.

Other Loony Dook events in Scotland may or may not require registration, depending on how formal the arrangements are.

When is the Loony Dook 2026?

As a general rule a Loony Dook takes place every year on the first day of the year (1st January). The time depends on the tide, but it usually takes place 2-3 hours before high tide when the tide is on its way in, which makes it a safer event.

For 2026, water entry for the South Queensferry Loony Dook is at 9.30am according to this Facebook post by the organiser.

In 2025, the South Queensferry event had the first Dookers entering the water at 1.30pm. If you plan on taking part or participating, we’d recommend arriving at least an hour earlier than this time to find parking and get yourself ready.

Can I attend the Loony Dook without going in the water?

Absolutely! Hundreds of people attend Loony Dook events each year as spectators. There is normally a very festive atmosphere and it is a lot of fun to watch and to cheer on the participants.

It’s also totally free to attend as a spectator, and you don’t need to register. Just make sure you arrive well in advance, as you might have to walk a fair bit from your car if you drive.

Is there Food and Drink at the South Queensferry Loony Dook?

There are a number of pubs, restaurants and cafes in South Queensferry, although as this is New Year’s Day and a public holiday in Scotland, they are not always guaranteed to be open.

Do I need an outfit for the Loony Dook?

An outfit is not mandatory, but given how many people attend in fancy dress, you will probably enjoy your experience a lot more if you make a bit of effort. Outfits are certainly encouraged.

Is there an age limit for the Loony Dook?

There is no age limit for the Loony Dook, but as this is a water-based event adult supervision is certainly recommended for those under 18.

How many people participate in the Loony Dook?

When the event was arranged by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay around a thousand people took part in the actual “dook”, which started off as a procession through the streets of South Queensferry led by a drum band, before ending in the frigid waters of the Forth of Firth.

The event is currently being community managed and there are no formal numbers shared, but it would seem that similar numbers take part.

Is the Loony Dook safe?

The Loony Dook organisers take safety seriously, and there are normally on-site police and medical professionals. There are normally also a number of lifeboat members on standby, to help anyone who gets into difficulty.

Of course, you have to remember that you are walking across a slippery beach in freezing temperatures and into very cold waters. So you have to be careful of course.

How do I get to the Loony Dook?

South Queensferry is a few miles outside of Edinburgh, so you’ll need to plan your transport accordingly. The easiest way to get here is to drive, and there is free parking with marshals to help you get to a parking spot.

Note that it might be a bit of a walk down to the Dook depending on when you arrive. We advise planning for a 10 – 20 minute walk just in case.

There is also a train station here, Dalmeny, which serves South Queensferry. You can also take the bus, with service 43 departing from St. Andrews Square in Edinburgh for South Queensferry. You can see the timetable here.

There are also taxis and ride share services available. Many Dookers do it as part of a tour from Edinburgh, so transport is included.

Some tour operators include the Loony Dook as part of their Hogmanay themed tours, and this can be a great option as an overall Hogmanay Scottish adventure.

Is the Loony Dook accessible?

Access to the water is via a series of steep steps, and I am not aware of any special accessibility provisions. If you do have accessibility needs and wish to participate in the actual Dook, I would suggest contacting the Loony Dook organisers for information.

For watching the Dook rather than participating, the main issue will be around access and parking. From speaking to folks with accessibility needs, there are no specific accessible parking spaces in South Queensferry for the Loony Dook.

However, blue badge holders can park on double yellow lines in South Queensferry, so you should be able to park close to the viewing areas and parade. We would advise arriving early and talking to the on-site parking marshals who will be able to direct you. Spots can go quickly and there is no reservation system in place.

How Long Does the Loony Dook Last?

Honestly, from the start time it lasts for as long as there are people still willing to go in the water! Most dookers have a quick splash, although some seem braver than others and stay in the water for longer.

Depending on how busy the event is it can take 20 – 40 minutes for everyone to get in the water and out again. However, the first wave is the most fun to watch going in in my opinion.

Where to Watch the Loony Dook from?

If you’re going as a spectator, one of the best places to watch the Loony Dook from in South Queensferry is the South Queensferry harbour, on the pier. You can see this here on Google Maps.

Dookers enter the water down the steps by the Boat House here and spread out along the beach area between the steps and the harbour, and then go into the water.

In previous years there was a parade prior to the Dook itself, but as of 2024 we are not aware of any formal parade.

If the parade returns in future years (and assuming it follows the same route through town), you can see this from along the B924, the main road through South Queensferry. A good vantage point can be found opposite the Queensferry Museum, where there’s a higher pedestrian area on the south side of the street. Once the parade has passed, you can then head over the street to the car parking area where you can see the beach area and watch the dookers getting wet.

Here’s a map image to help you visualise this, which you can also see on Google Maps here. The red line is the parade route, the yellow line is a good viewing area for the parade, and the green line is a good viewing area for the Dook itself.

Any tips for taking part in the Loony Dook 2026?

Based on my experience taking part in the dook, I have some tips for taking part in the Loony Dook. First, I suggest having someone else handle your transport – either a tour company, or a friend.

Next, you’ll want to bring a nice big towel and a bag of dry clothes that someone can give to you shortly after getting out of the water (that friend will come in handy at this point).

You’ll also absolutely want to wear some form of footwear, like sandals or old trainers. I did it bare foot, which was a big mistake – the ground in January is very very cold!

For more advice on what to bring, check out my guide to what to pack and wear for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, which has a section on the Loony Dook.

Other than that, just go planning to have fun! The water is cold, but just throw yourself in without hesitating, splash around a bit, and then find that big fluffy towel. You’ll survive.

Alternatives to the Loony Dook in South Queensferry

Whilst the Loony Dook in South Queensferry is the most well-known (more information here on that one), it is not the only Loony Dook you can take part in. In fact, there’s nothing really stopping you from throwing yourself into the sea on New Year’s Day.

But if you want to try a different option, some options to consider include:

Portobello Loony Dook. One of the largest informal Loony Dooks and generally regarded as one of Scotland’s best alternative Loony Dook options. Note this is an informal event where people just turn up and Dook throughout the day. Information is usually shared on this Facebook page in the run up to the event, however nothing as yet as been confirmed for January 2026.
Limekilns Loony Dook, not yet confirmed for 2026. Took place in 2025 with a charge of £10 to take part.
Dornoch Loony Dook. Confirmed for 2026 with water entry at 11am. More information here.
Kirkcaldy Loony Dook. Confirmed for January 1st 2026 at noon. More information on Facebook page here.
North Berwick Loony Dook. Facebook page here. No updates for 2026 event yet.
Broughty Ferry Loony Dook. Held annually since 1884 at Broughty Ferry. Confirmed for 1.00pm on 1st January 2026, £16 per adult, £9 for children. Must arrive and register by 2pm to take part.
Dunbar Loony Dook. Last held in 2020, no information on 2026 event.
St. Andrews Loony Dook. Held in St. Andrews every year. Confirmed for 2026 with water entry at 10am. Food and drinks normally available for purchase nearby.
Kinghorn Loony Dook. Confirmed for 2026 with water entry at 11am. Normally held at Kinghorn Beach on 1st January each year. Organised by the RNLI with safety personnel present. Online registration required. Details on the Kinghorn RNLI page here.
Portpatrick Loony Dook. Confirmed for January 1st 2026 at 10am. More information on Facebook page here.

Note that I try to keep the above list up to date every year with the latest announcements, but many of these dooks are informal affairs with volunteers managing them, so it can be a bit hit or miss when information is released.