Virgin Money Street of Light
Edinburgh Rugby win over Dragons
Meet the Edible Gardening Team at the Botanics
Behind the scenes tour at Gladstone’s Land
Christmas Charity Festival 2015
Tonight the Virgin Money Street of Light will be lit up for the very first time on the Royal Mile at 6,30pm. You might need to be there early to get a good spot!
This stunning new addition to Edinburgh’s Christmas launches today on St Andrew’s Day and runs till Christmas Eve, with a specially designed architectural installation of 60,000+ lights stretching along the Royal Mile, from City Chambers to the Tron Kirk.
Audiences will enter this stunning canopy of light, rising up to 19 metres high and listen to specially commissioned recordings from choirs from across Edinburgh – all synchronised to the lights. The show lasts for 20 minutes, after the first show the lights are switched off in readyness for the 8.15 show. After this show the lights will remain on till midnight.
Edinburgh Rugby won by a large margin on Friday night against Newport Gwent Dragons. John Preece has the full report and some other spectacular photos here.
In other sports news Hearts managed a draw with Motherwell in an away match played in heavy rain and a ‘swirling wind’ according to Mike Smith. Read the match report here.
Take a look around the productive garden at the Botanics with the Edible Gardening Project volunteers today between 1:00 and 3:00pm.
Find out what jobs need doing in your own garden now and have your vegetable growing questions answered. With seed sowing activities for children during the Scottish school holidays.
This project is supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. More details here.
The National Trust for Scotland’s Gladstone’s Land is running some special behind the scenes tours today as part of its St Andrew’s Day celebrations.
This high-rise tenement spans nearly 500 years of history, and has been recreated to showcase the daily life of those who called it home, including a wealthy laird in the 1600s, a merchant shopkeeper, and the servants who did the dirty work. Gladstone’s Land was one of the “world’s first skyscrapers” and highlights the turbulent life of a capital city bursting at the seams.
Senior assistant Sally Whitford said: “As part of this special tour, visitors will have the opportunity to view rare Renaissance painted ceilings in rooms normally hidden from public view. Our knowledgeable guides will be on hand to explain the origins of this unusual form of decoration and their hidden meanings, and to tell the stories of the real people who once lived here.”
Outside, there will be beautiful owls and birds of prey – meet baby barn owl Gladstone, tiny Hamish or majestic eagle owl Guinevere.
Glad Tidings, the tenement’s Christmas shop will also be open late this evening and offering some special offers and refreshments for folk coming to see the switch on of Virgin Money’s Street of Light.
Gladstone’s Land in the heart of Edinburgh is a fascinating building. Originally the home of a wealthy Laird, it showcases high rise living 17th-Century-style and authentically illustrates life in a Lawnmarket tenement apartment. Originally it housed wealthy families on each floor and had two luckenbooths (shops) at street level.
Next weekend on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th December at Inverleith Park from 9.30am – 5pm the Christmas Charity Festival takes place.
There will be many charity stalls and you can stay awhile and have a snack at their tea/ coffee bar.
Watch Santa’s reindeer as they get ready to pull Santa on his sleigh in the Santa Parade / Toddle. Toddle Tent for the little ones will be open both days.
There are many attractions for children, including a soft play area, card making, ginger bread decorating and storytelling.
Santa’s Grotto open Saturday and Sunday from 10am You are advised to book early.
Carol Service 3pm Saturday 5th December Join in the annual Christmas Carol Service followed by free warm mulled wine and hot mince pies.
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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
