The lights were officially lit up on the Christmas tree on The Mound earlier this evening.
The Edinburgh Candlemakers, the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian Honorary Consulate all joined in the procession from the City Chambers to the Mound for the ceremony.
Lord Provost Robert Aldridge, Counsellor Dr. Øystein Lund and Honorary Consul General Professor Julian Jones from the Norwegian Honorary Consulate General, came together to switch on the lights of the 18-metre-tall tree. This annual tradition celebrates the strong ties between Scotland and Norway, honouring the Scottish people’s unwavering support for Norway during World War II.
The Rt Hon Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, said: “Edinburgh’s famous Christmas tree is a fixture on the Mound every winter and the switch on of the lights not only signals the start for the festive season it is an important reminder of our close ties with Norway and of the strength and universal values of friendship, solidarity and compassion. I hope Edinburgh residents and visitors alike will enjoy the opportunity to view this beautiful Christmas Tree in the heart of our city. My heartfelt thanks go to the people of Vestland for their continued generosity and friendship over so many years, as well as to our partners Field and Lawn for their support and Bernard Hunter for their kind donation of crane services.
“As Edinburgh’s Christmas gets underway, the tree’s sparkling lights bring a festive glow to the city centre and with more community light switch-on events planned across the city, Edinburgh is embracing the Christmas spirit, uniting residents and visitors alike in a celebration of joy, hope, and goodwill.”
Honorary Consul General of the Norwegian Consulate General in Edinburgh, Professor Julian Jones said: “The Christmas Tree symbolises all that is best about what Norway and Scotland, and what Vestland and Edinburgh, have in common. Every year Vestland gives a Christmas tree as a gift to Edinburgh, as a ‘thank you’ for the help received from Scotland during the Second World War. Norway and Scotland are neighbours, and we have a common history going all the way back to the Viking times.
“There are strong ties between Edinburgh and Vestland, and our culture and our heritage bring us together in our Christmas festivities, with a splendid concert in St Giles cathedral following the lighting of the Tree, with Scottish and Norwegian musicians. The Christmas Tree celebrates all that we have done together in past, and all that we will do together in the future.”
Edinburgh’s Christmas officially opened on Friday 15 November. Following tonight’s ceremony there will be events held at community trees elsewhere in the city.
| Date | Location | Switch on time | ||
| 28/11/2024 | Corstorphine | 6.45pm | ||
| 28/11/2024 | South Queensferry | |||
| 30/11/2024 | Davidsons Mains | 5.00pm | ||
| 02/12/2024 | Prestonfield | 4.10pm | ||
| 03/12/2024 | Stenhouse | 6pm | ||
| 04/12/2024 | Morningside | 5pm | ||
| 04/12/2024 | St Patrick’s Square | 6pm | ||
| 04/12/2024 | Eric Liddell Community | 6pm | ||
| 05/12/2024 | Roseburn | 4.30pm | ||
| 05/12/2024 | Portobello | 6pm | ||
| 07/12/2024 | Marchmont | 4pm | ||
| 08/12/2024 | Ratho Village | 5pm | ||
| 15/12/2024 | Gorgie Dalry | 6.30pm |
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
