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6 November 2024

Edinburgh Castle counts down to spectacular light show

This year, Castle of Light is helping to mark the capital's epic 900th anniversary in a showstopping celebration that will light up Edinburgh’s iconic skyline for a fifth fantastic year. All ages are invited to journey through history in a way never seen - or heard - before.

A young girl with long brown hair sits atop a throne wearing a crown. She smiles at the camera, wearing a pink coat, pink scarf and holds large gold balloons that spell out the number 900. Behind her is a stone archway lit up with red lighting and fog.

Image credit © Rob McDougall

10-year-old Izabell got the royal treatment this week with an exclusive sneak peek at the ultimate party of the season - Castle of Light - before it opens at Edinburgh Castle later this month (from Friday 22 November 2024).

This year, Castle of Light is helping to mark the capital's epic 900th anniversary in a showstopping celebration that will light up Edinburgh’s iconic skyline for a fifth fantastic year. All ages are invited to journey through history in a way never seen - or heard - before. Pulling out all the stops, the electrifying after-dark trail will transform the historic castle grounds with all-new jaw-dropping light and sound displays that promise to set the festive season ablaze.

From mythical creatures to long-lost tales, visitors can walk in the footsteps of Scotland’s most famous figures then dance through the ages in Crown Square. This year, producers are also putting the stories of Edinburgh’s trailblazing women in the spotlight and are giving visitors the opportunity to “fire” the legendary Mons Meg - for the first time since the 17th century!

Brought together by a consortium of the finest digital and visual talent in Scotland, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, Castle of Light is a favourite among locals and visitors alike in the city’s packed festive schedule.

For more information and to get your tickets, visit www.castleoflight.scot

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 December, Sunday 22 and Monday 23 December, Sunday 29 and Monday 30 December, and Thursday 2 January.

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.

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: 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.

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.

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.
  • View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.

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For media enquiries please contact:

Federica Bussu / Heather Marston
3x1 Group
0131 225 7700
HES@3x1.com

For further information, please contact:

Laura Ely
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
07721 959 962
communications@hes.scot

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