Michael Palin does the UK tour without leaving Festival Square
Globetrotting broadcaster and former Royal Geographical Society President, Michael Palin, today paid a visit to a stunning outdoor exhibition he helped develop.
Combined with a large-scale, walk-on Ordnance Survey map situated in Festival Square, visitors can walk the length and breadth of the British Isles, finding favourite locations and discovering new ones.
Speaking at this morning’s event, Michael Palin said: “Scotland has some of the world’s most glorious landscapes – from the coast and mountains to the lochs and rivers. It also has an exceptional industrial and architectural heritage. For all these reasons Edinburgh is a perfect host for an exhibition that celebrates the rich geography of our islands.”
Eleven specially selected photographs of striking locations around Edinburgh are also included in the exhibition, which will remain in the city until 20 May 2013.
Councillor Frank Ross, Economy Convener, City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site is the perfect setting for these breathtaking images and the perfect way to see Britain from a quite unique aerial perspective.
“Since arriving in the city, the exhibition has provoked a wonderfully positive reaction from onlookers who have been marvelling at the images along the length of the three-mile trail. It still has another six weeks to run and, now that the weather is a little less wintry, I would encourage residents and visitors to the city to enjoy it while they can.”
The exhibition was brought to Edinburgh – a Scottish first – by the Royal Geographical Society (with the Institute of British Geographers) in collaboration with street gallery pioneers, Wecommunic8.
It is sponsored by the City of Edinburgh Council, Marketing Edinburgh and Essential Edinburgh in conjunction with Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), Edinburgh World Heritage and the Grassmarket BID.