Here in Edinburgh we love a good Hogmanay knees-up and Calton Hill is one of the most popular spots for us to watch the fireworks display and bring in ‘the bells’ without having to buy a ticket for the street party.

However, this year City of Edinburgh Council have announced the closure of the site claiming “the hill is unlit and uneven underfoot”. For the first time ever, it will be guarded by stewards from the private security firm G4S, with police on standby should any trouble break out. They will be guarding our hill from 7pm until after midnight.

Many of you have already taken to social media to vent your anger, with some saying you’re going to flounce the ban anyway and try and get on the hill.

I say we do this right. I say, we petition the council to listen to what the good people of Edinburgh are saying - we don’t want this. We have never had this, so why now?

I, for one, do not buy the Council’s reasoning and would suggest it is merely a ploy on their part to encourage punters to buy tickets for the ‘official’ street party. There are still thousands of tickets for the street party left on sale. It can’t be that much of a coincidence that they’re deciding to cordon off Calton Hill this year as opposed to previous years.

I was on the hill last year and experienced no problem getting up or down and, as far as I am aware, neither did anyone else.

You have all seen Beltane, our pagan fire festival, turned into commercial event; which for many, defeats the whole purpose of the gathering. We have met on this hill for years without incident. Are you willing to let this stand? Or will you call them out on this decision?

Please sign this petition to show the council that they should listen to what we want and allow us to stand on our hill. There’s still enough time to bring about change before the bell tolls.