Castle of Light is back for the sixth year and welcomed 4,500 visitors to Edinburgh Castle during the opening weekend.
Fire and Ice begins on the esplanade with a fiery light show on the Castle drawing everyone in through the “smoky” portcullis to the show beyond.
The fire breathing dragon is a showstopper along the trail, and the narration tells the tale of Scotland through the elements of volcanic fire and ice.
The display includes projections onto some of the buildings within the castle, and Santa and his elves also make an appearance. There is music from the tried and tested festive tunes playlist to get everyone dancing to keep warm.
Drawing inspiration from the primal forces of fire and ice, visitors will meet the Ice Queen in the Great Hall, as the Castle’s stories — shaped by volcanic fire and icy resilience — are brought to life.
Official opening
Edinburgh and Scotland rugby players, Matt Currie, Adelle Ferrie and Merryn Gunderson were called upon to do the honours and light the show for the first time on Friday night.
Matt Currie said: “It’s genuinely a massive honour to be here tonight and to play a small part in officially switching on the lights for Castle of Light. Edinburgh Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and seeing it lit up with these spectacular projections and stories is truly special.”
Adelle Ferrie said: “Being up here on the esplanade tonight, seeing the buzz and excitement, really brings home how much this event means to Edinburgh. For us as players, getting to be part of such a great event that connects with the wider community is fantastic. It’s an amazing way to shine a light on what makes Edinburgh so unique. We’re incredibly proud to play our part in launching something that adds so much magic to the city’s winter calendar.”
Poetry
One of this year’s innovations is the dramatic reimagining of the ancient epic poem, Y Gododdin. Rather than using animation, the creative team collaborated with renowned Edinburgh-based artist Maria Rud, who painted her interpretation of the tale live in real time.
With every brushstroke projected onto the rock face, Maria’s hands — and even her hair — become part of the artwork, making the creation as mesmerising as the story itself. The result is a raw, expressive performance that brings the ancient warriors of Y Gododdin vividly to life while providing a striking contrast to the high-tech digital installations elsewhere on the trail.
Alastair Young, producer of Castle of Light, said: “This year’s story celebrates Scotland’s resilience, forged in fire, shaped by ice, and to see audiences respond with such awe and excitement has been hugely rewarding. Whether people joined us for the very first time or returned for another adventure, the reaction so far has been phenomenal.”
What is it?
The walking trail is a walk around the Castle, mainly outside, on cobble stones and uneven ground, and it is quite dark except for the light shows. It is accessible for people in mobility scooters or powered wheelchairs, and also for anyone with a child in a pram or buggy.
One of the installations where our group spent some time was the array of interactive light panels where visitors stand in front and are then declared to be “warm as a Highland hug” or a “Sword o’ Wallace spark – brave and bold-hearted”. Many other options, hot and cold, proved to be entertaining for even the youngest member of our team.
The event is staged by a consortium of Scottish digital and visual talent in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland. Castle of Light seamlessly blends cutting-edge creativity with centuries of history, making it a highlight in the capital’s festive calendar.
Food and drink
There are several places to buy food and drinks both inside and outside on the esplanade including the Queen Anne Café Bar and street food vendors. The gift shops are also open during the show.
Limited tickets remain for peak festive nights throughout the event run. Tickets are sold for a specific entry time every 15 minutes between 4.30pm and 7.30pm.
Last entry is between 7.30pm and 7.45pm, with the event closing at 9pm. A special reduced-capacity “quiet night” takes place on Sunday 7 December, offering a calmer experience with softer lighting, lower sound levels and no smoke effects.
To celebrate St Andrew’s Day, a special £10 ticket offer will be available for entry on Sunday 30 November. Everyone is encouraged to book now as tickets are selling fast. (This is a good deal and a reduction on the entry price of £24 per adult with family deals also on offer.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www.CastleofLight.scot
The event runs until Sunday 4 January 2026.
