A Highland Year to Remember: Wick’s 2025 in Review & Hogmanay at Mackays Hotel

As the final days of 2025 draw near, Wick finds itself wrapped once again in the familiar winter light that softens the town’s rooftops, glimmers along the river, and settles gently over the harbour. It’s a time of reflection, when the community pauses to look back on the year that has passed, and begins to look forward to the celebrations that mark the arrival of another.

At Mackays Hotel, this season offers a chance to acknowledge the moments that shaped 2025: the stories shared by guests, the milestones celebrated in the town, and the countless little memories that weave together to form a year in the Highlands. Wick has always been a place of history and heart, and 2025 was no exception.

Here is our look back at a year to remember – and an invitation to join us as we welcome the bells for 2026.

Celebrating Wick & Our Community: A Look Back at 2025

Wick’s beating heart has always been its people, the fishermen who greet the early morning, the shopkeepers who welcome familiar faces, the families who gather and walk along the river, and the visitors who arrive eager to explore Caithness. Throughout 2025, the community spirit that has long defined Wick remained as strong as ever.

Local events brought people together in celebration and conversation. Visitors rediscovered the charm of the harbour, the serenity of Wick’s wild coastline, and the rich history embedded in the town’s streets. The sense of pride in local culture grew stronger, whether through festivals, markets, or quiet moments shared between neighbours.

At Mackays Hotel, we welcomed guests from across the Highlands and beyond, some returning year after year, and others discovering Wick for the first time. Stories were exchanged over breakfast, friendships were made during dinner in No.1 Bistro, and moments were marked: anniversaries, birthdays, weddings, and long-awaited family reunions.

The year reminded us that Wick is more than a destination – it’s a community, vibrant and resilient, moving through the seasons with warmth and determination.

A Delicious Year: Seasonal Menus & Highland Flavours

2025 was a year of flavour in No.1 Bistro. Our kitchen embraced every season with care, crafting dishes that celebrated the rich landscape of Caithness. From the fresh vibrancy of spring ingredients to the hearty comfort of winter classics, the menu evolved with the rhythm of the year.

Local producers continued to shine, fishermen landing the day’s catch, farms supplying fresh meats and vegetables, and bakers and artisans adding their own touches to the season. Guests enjoyed the best of Highland hospitality: plates filled with comfort, tradition, and creativity.

Winter, in particular, is where flavours deepen. Our festive menus for the end of 2025 bring together everything learned and loved throughout the year, with warming dishes inspired by the Highlands and touches that nod to Scotland’s proud culinary heritage.

A Year of Tradition: Scotland’s Seasonal Spirit

Wick has always carried its traditions proudly, and 2025 continued that story. Throughout the year, the town celebrated music, heritage, folklore, and community gatherings – the small moments that remind us why the Highlands feel so special.

From summer days filled with local events to autumn evenings spent sharing stories, the sense of continuity was strong. Wick’s traditions are not just preserved, they are lived. And as winter arrived, the anticipation of Christmas & Hogmanay returned with it: the songs, the community spirit, and the prospect of new beginnings.

Looking Ahead: Wick’s Famous Hogmanay Street Party

No annual reflection would be complete without looking forward to Hogmanay, the moment when Wick comes alive in a celebration shared by locals, visitors, families, and friends. The street party is one of the town’s most beloved traditions: music filling the air, laughter echoing through the streets, and the community gathering under winter skies to welcome a new year.

As the countdown begins, the town glows with festive energy. The bells ring out, hands join for “Auld Lang Syne,” and the spirit of Wick comes together in one unforgettable moment.

This year, as always, Mackays Hotel sits at the heart of the celebration, offering warmth, hospitality, and a place to enjoy the final flavours and memories of 2025.

Join Us at Mackays Hotel as We Welcome 2026

As we look back on a year filled with stories, milestones, and shared experiences, we also look forward with hope and excitement. Hogmanay is a chance to come together – whether you’re a local celebrating with neighbours or a traveller eager to experience a true Highland New Year.

With delicious seasonal menus, cosy rooms ready to welcome winter travellers, and the energy of Wick’s Hogmanay street party just steps away, Mackays Hotel is the perfect place to reflect on 2025 and step into 2026 with joy.

Raise a glass with us this Hogmanay, and let’s begin the next chapter together.