Perched atop the city’s colourful history, Edinburgh Castle has been the nation's witness and grand host throughout, making it the ideal stage for all to celebrate with the dazzling return of Castle of Light.
Transforming the city’s skyline for a fifth fantastic year, Castle of Light promises to get the party started this winter as Edinburgh Castle is illuminated with extraordinary light and sounds displays. In a spectacular celebration fit for all ages, guests are invited to come face to face with history as the stories of Scotland’s past unravel in a tapestry of all-new storytelling projections.
Brought together by a consortium of the finest digital and visual talent in Scotland, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, the larger-than-life installations are set to bring the revelry to locals and visitors alike as tales throughout the city’s history dance across the castle walls in the unique after-dark walking trail.
Alastair Young, Producer of Castle of Light, said:
As the darker evenings begin to draw in, it’s almost time for the city’s biggest party to begin - and everyone’s invited!
“Celebrating 900 years of the city allows us to bring tales from Edinburgh’s past back to life through spectacular displays which are sure to brighten up the winter months. With an all-new show for 2024, you’ll walk in famous footsteps, dance through the ages in Crown Square and, for the first time since the 17th century, you’ll even be able to “fire” Mons Meg! From mythical creatures to forgotten tales, you’ll have the chance to see Edinburgh Castle in a whole new light as you come face to face with 900 years of history.”
Running for seven weeks throughout the festive season, on select dates from Friday 22 November 2024 to Saturday 4 January 2025, let immersive illuminations and entrancing installations guide you through 900 years of Edinburgh’s rich history.
A special access night will also take place on Sunday 8 December. Hosting a reduced capacity, the event will include a designated quiet space, British Sign Language (BSL) tour slots, ear defenders to help manage noise and volunteer guides to support the event.
Stephen Duncan, Director of Marketing and Engagement at Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which runs Edinburgh Castle, said:
“Now in its fifth fantastic year, Castle of Light continues to amaze with even bigger, brighter and more breathtaking state-of-the-art projections. This year is no exception as we gear up to celebrate Edinburgh’s 900th anniversary in style.
Promising to showcase Scotland’s past like you’ve never seen - or heard - before, we can’t wait to invite both new and returning visitors to the Castle as the iconic landmark takes centre stage to host the ultimate party this winter.”
Ticketed entry slots will run every 15 minutes between 4.30pm and 7.30pm each evening, with last entry between 7.30pm and 7.45pm. The event closes at 9pm.
Adult early bird tickets cost £19.80 and are available until Monday 30 September (using the promo code: COLSM24 at checkout). Concession rates, family tickets and discounts for Historic Scotland members are also available.
For more information and to get your tickets, visit www.castleoflight.scot. Advance booking required.
About Castle of Light
Dates: Castle of Light will run every Friday and Saturday, starting on Friday 22 November 2024 until Saturday 4 January 2025. The event will also run on Sunday 15, Sunday 22, Monday 23, Sunday 29, Monday 30 December, and Thursday 2 January.
An access night will take place on Sunday 8 December.
Time: Timed entry from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, last entry between 7.30pm and 7.45pm. The event closes at 9pm. It is suggested that you allow around 60 minutes to fully experience the show but you can take as much or as little time as you like.
Cost:
Early bird tickets - available until Monday 30 September (using the promo code: COLSM24 at checkout). Adult (16-64yrs) £19.80; Concessions (65yrs+) £14.50; Child (7-15yrs - must be accompanied by an adult aged 16+) £11. Family tickets and HS Member discounts are also available.
Standard tickets - Adult (16-64yrs) £22; Concessions (65yrs+) £16; Child (7-15yrs - must be accompanied by an adult aged 16+) £12. Family tickets and HS Member discounts are also available.
Tickets are available at www.castleoflight.scot
About Castle of Light’s consortium partners
War Productions Limited
War Productions Limited has been trading since 1989 and has a strong focus towards the artistic use of digital video.
Beginning as a lighting company, WarPro’s creative bent shifted towards the use of live projection in the very early days of the technology as production company for Orbital, Aphex Twin, Shamen and more. WarPro has specialised more and more in the creative use of projection for an ever growing commercial and artistic client base.
Double Take Projections
Double Take Projections Ltd is an innovative Scottish design consultancy specialising in creating immersive visual experiences using a technique called Projection Mapping. It is a bespoke company, creating unique one-off spectacles, and is able to radically alter the character of an environment or object by projecting from different angles onto a variety of surfaces.
Double Take has years of experience of producing and designing some of Scotland’s biggest Light shows. Double Take is a one stop shop for projection activity, designing content, designing social content and marketing material.
NL Productions
NL Productions is a creative event production company based in Leith with more than forty years’ experience in the industry.
Over the years, NLP has built up a large number of professional relationships across a wide variety of industries based on trust, reliability and a high standard of communication and project management.
Andy McGregor
Andy McGregor has over 25 years’ experience as a multimedia artist, designer and creative director. With a background in music, contemporary art and multimedia design, Andy has consistently worked at the boundaries of design, art, technology and performance.
He has produced work for high profile organisations such as The National Galleries of Scotland, Glasgow Life, Venice Theatre Biennale, Edinburgh International Science Festival, Harper Collins Publishing UK, Abbotsord Trust, The Queen’s Gallery at Holyrood House and Drambuie Distillers.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
- Historic Scotland, Scran, Canmore, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, and Edinburgh Castle are sub-brands of HES.
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For media enquiries please contact:
Federica Bussu / Heather Marston
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Laura Ely
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
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