The Loony Dook, Scotland's popular New Year's Day tradition held in the Firth of Forth, has been cancelled for 2027 due to safety concerns, but organisers have confirmed it will return in 2028.
The annual event, which has run since 1986, sees participants brave the icy waters of the Firth of Forth in outlandish costumes to welcome the new year. Community organiser Tony Pirouet announced the cancellation, citing the mounting risks involved.
Safety concerns behind the decision
Pirouet said on social media: "Due to its previous success, history is repeating itself, I feel the dook is becoming a safety issue due to its popularity and without safety measures put in place, i.e. road closures, safety fencing and marshals, I feel it would be totally irresponsible of me, and would feel so bad if there were any injuries to anyone."
He thanked the RNLI Queensferry Lifeboat for their care on and in the water each year, as well as the people of Queensferry for their support and donations to the local lifeboat station.
Return planned for 2028
In a follow-up post on a local Facebook community page, Pirouet announced the Loony Dook will return in 2028. He said: "Loony dook 27 cancelled but due to a chat with a mystery man, I'm happy to announce LOONY DOOK 2028 shall return to Queensferry. Time and tide is against us to get everything in place in eight weeks for Dook 2027. So, we shall take a year out. But, that famous saying... I'll be back. We'll be back. Thank you for understanding."
The tradition began as a joke among three friends in South Queensferry, who plunged into the Firth of Forth to refresh themselves after Hogmanay hangovers. The experience was repeated the following year, with charity fundraising added. The event grew in popularity and was featured in the Edinburgh Hogmanay guide and BBC New Year broadcasts.
By 2011, the Dook welcomed thousands of people annually and became part of Edinburgh's Hogmanay programme, with participants required to pay a registration fee. In 2020, it was removed from the official programme due to the Covid-19 pandemic and concerns over commercialisation, but the tradition continued at South Queensferry without an entry fee until last year.
Many Loony Dook events are not officially supervised, and it is strongly advised not to swim if the weather is stormy.
