The thermometer was hovering just above zero, but it was a crisp, cold night, and there was no wind, ideal for stroll in The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to see the annual light display which has become very much part of Christmas celebrations in the Capital.
Just under 7,000 steps later Tom and I had both enjoyed a joyous walk around the sizeable gardens which are easy accessible from Princess Street. In fact, it is only 1.3 miles, all downhill.
We were assailed by the colour and the ingenuity of the light show which is well worth the effort of getting here.
Furthermore, it was evident that the garden has a deep commitment to sustainability and 98 per cent of the lighting used during Christmas at the Botanics is energy-efficient LED.
The factsheet provided to media confirmed that this year’s trail is powered by the garden’s main electrical supply, removing the need for generators, and illumination is only used where required for visitor safety.
The exhibits combine art, sustainability and storytelling in the atmospheric setting of one of Edinburgh’s iconic tourist destinations and the visual creations varied in complexity.
There is plenty of time to view as the extremely popular annual event runs for 36 nights on selected evenings until 30 December.
The overall theme is the beauty and resilience of nature during winter and the after-dark trail showcases homegrown talent and international artists.
Installations pay homage to the natural cycles of change that sustain the planet and there are new displays and old favourites to view. The previously seen shows include Christmas Cathedral which has become a popular selfie spot. We could not resist taking one.
New installations for 2025 include Papillons by French design studio Pitaya which sees a display of multi-coloured butterflies taking flight among the trees.
The Seeds is another and these internally lit, stand-alone white sculptures are equally impressive during the day as they are when illuminated at night.
Water Lilies add to the new mix with five large, self-illuminated water flowers gracefully float along the surface of a pond. This was stunning and it sat next to a Chinese-themed area, dominated by the colour red, which particularly grabbed our attention.
Simply, this show was outstanding and it captivated Tom, a debutant at this event.
Sarah Cathcart, director of learning and engagement, said: “This year’s trail celebrates transformation in nature, in art and in how we experience the winter season. We’ve refreshed much of the route to reflect the beauty and resilience that define both nature and our work at the Botanics, and the importance of protecting it.”
She added: “Christmas at the Botanics has become a highlight of Scotland’s winter tourism calendar, drawing visitors from across the country and beyond. It’s a wonderful way to showcase Edinburgh at its most magical and celebrate the creativity that Scotland is known for.”
Overall, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-leading hub for plant science, conservation and education and the garden is supported by a combination of Scottish Government funding and visitor donations.
Money raised during the show directly contributes to vital research and conservation programmes that protect plants, habitats and the people who depend on them.
An innovation this year are three quiet nights which offer a more relaxed and accessible experience.
Tickets for all showings are now on sale and visitors are encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot.
For the record, Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by events promoter RG Live, a division of Sony Music and the event is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.
For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.
