Nightclubs officially reopen in Scotland as remaining COVID restrictions end

COVID restrictions in Scotland were lifted at midnight on Sunday, with venues around the country holding reopening parties.

The Buff Club (pictured) in Glasgow and Lulu in Edinburgh saw large crowds of eager club-goers, yearning for the experience of clubbing after a 500-day hiatus, with the former opening at one minute after midnight and the latter hosting a ‘freedom party’.

Read this next: How to help clubs reopen safely and for the long haul

Many were already queueing up to 30 mins before the venues opened.

The Polo Lounge, Boteco Do Brasil and a number of other venues saw revellers return, with screaming heard as the clock struck midnight.

Martin Stewart, a clubgoer, told PA: "It’s been a long wait – I’ll be out till closing.”

While Luke Dunsmuir, who was also out on opening night, said that he’d be “Out every night, just you wait, you'll be seeing my face everywhere,"

Read this next: Thousands flock to midnight reopenings as clubs open for the first time in 16 months

GBX Radio presenter George Bowie congratulated those keeping the nightlife industry afloat: “Big shout to everyone in the nightclub industry, no matter what you do, buzzing for you to be back where you belong."

"And like most of Scotland, if you're going out clubbing tonight after midnight enjoy yourself, you've earned it”

Speaking about the changes to restrictions, Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

"The move beyond Level 0 will entail the lifting of most of the remaining legally imposed restrictions - most notably, on physical distancing and limits to the size of social gatherings. It also means that from August 9, no venues will be legally required to close.

"This change is significant and hard-earned. The sacrifices everyone has made over the past year and a half can never be overstated."

Read this next: Covid vaccine passports set to be made mandatory for clubs in England

Sturgeon also revealed plans to introduced COVID status certificates for entry to nightclubs, saying:

“I can also confirm that we continue to consider very carefully the possible, albeit limited, use of COVID status certification for access to certain higher-risk venues in future.”

Tope Olufemi is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow them on Twitter