Scotland’s nightclubbers vowed to be “out every night” as the relaxation of coronavirus restrictions allowed the venues to reopen for more than a year.
Nightclubs across the country opened their doors when the clock went a minute past midnight on Monday and Scotland’s Covid-19 Levels system was scrapped.
In Glasgow, dancers took to the stage at Club Boteco Do Brasil.
Martin Stewart, 24, from town, was among the crowd and said he was glad to be back.
Night owls in Boteco Do Brasil (Daniel Harkins / PA)
“It took a long time – I’ll be out until the store closes,” he told the PA news agency.
In the nearby Polo Lounge, an LGBTQ inclusive club, the night owls sang and shouted as the clock struck midnight and the doors opened again.
Luke Dunsmuir, 19, of Strathbungo, said he was dying to go back.
“I’ve been going to nightclubs since I was 15,” he said. “Oot and Aboot.”
He said while the clubs were closed he missed meeting different people and networking with others.
He said he wasn’t worried about Covid-19 as he was double vaccinated.
“The only concern was the elderly, that was the only concern for me, but with the younger generation the percentage of them getting Covid is so low,” he said.
He said his next few weeks would be “busy”.
“Out every night, just wait, you will see my face everywhere,” he added.
In the city center, people were standing around the block in front of the Savoy nightclub.
Luke Dunsmuir visited the Polo Lounge (Daniel Harkins / PA)
Mark Grant, 19, and Johnny Matthews, 21, both from Southside, were among those waiting to get back inside.
Mr Grant said he only had two months of clubbing when he turned 18 before the country was locked.
“I’ve spent most of my 18 years inside so it was good to get out,” he said.
“It’s a big part of our teenage lives – especially teenagers in their early twenties – it’s a big part of it, and we haven’t had it. So we have a lot of time to catch up, ”he said.
Mr. Matthews said, “I’m buzzing – I’ve got Monday off, I’m on vacation”.
He said he was double vaccinated but would take precautions.
“We’ll wear the mask, but it should be fine,” he said.
He added, “It’s a good laugh, cheap drinks so it’s good to come back.”
Nightclubs were among the last venues to reopen in Scotland, long after bars began welcoming customers again.
After initial confusion over the past week, the Scottish Government made it clear that there is no need to wear masks when dancing or drinking.