The Olympic Torch has just started its journey through the UK and will pass through Edinburgh on two days in the middle of next month.
The Edinburgh part of the relay begins at 17.45 on 13 June 2012, just at the junction of Stenhouse Road and Gorgie Road, outside the Stenhouse Industrial Estate. The torch will have started the day in St Andrews and gone all around Fife and some of Central Scotland before arriving in the capital. It then proceeds up Chesser Avenue, does a loop into and out of New Market Place, all the way down Slateford Road until it turns right up Shandon Place. From there it proceeds on to Ashley Terrace and Gray’s Loan, turning left along Colinton Road to Holy Corner where it will follow the road north to Tollcross, taking a right hand turn there to go up Lauriston Place along past George Heriot’s School to Forrest Road, where it turns left and proceeds all the way down George IV Bridge to the former Bank of Scotland HQ on The Mound where it will then make a U-turn to proceed up to Edinburgh Castle.
Along the route there will be a number of activities provided by the Olympic Torch presenting partners – Samsung, Coca-Cola and Bank of Scotland (Lloyds TSB). The Olympic Torch Relay will be broadcast on the BBC’s ‘red button’ and plans are under way to take two hours of live, national television from Edinburgh’s evening celebration on 13 June.
The organisers hope that the glittering celebration will enable thousands of people to enjoy a variety of entertainment staged by LOCOG and the three Presenting Partners of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay – Coca-Cola, Bank of Scotland and Samsung – with support from The City of Edinburgh Council.
The three Presenting Partners will each provide 20 minutes of exciting and stimulating entertainment for the event. Emeli Sandé, presented by Coca-Cola, will headline the celebrations, followed by stunning acrobatic performances brought by Bank of Scotland and dance performances staged by Samsung.
The Council will also present two ten-minute slots of locally-programmed entertainment during the evening celebration. The BIG Project‘s Youth Choir will be joined onstage by some of Scotland’s finest musical talent, including Kim Edgar and Karine Polwart, to reprise a selection of songs from their recent Celtic Connections and Usher Hall performances. The second, ten minute slot will bring the evening event to a close.
Prior to and during the show, the audience will have the opportunity to participate in a number of activities courtesy of Coca-Cola, Bank of Scotland and Samsung. These include having your photograph taken with the London 2012 Torch and other Olympic-related activities.
Towards the end of the two-hour show, the last Torchbearer of the day will light a celebration cauldron on stage at the event which will enable the Olympic Flame to be seen by the audience.
Lynne Halfpenny, Head of Culture and Sport for the City of Edinburgh Council, said:- “This will be a truly special free event showcasing some of the best local talent that Scotland, and Edinburgh, have to offer. With the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle for the celebrations, this will be an unmissable event, and a fantastic way to welcome the Olympic Torch to Scotland’s capital.”
Seb Coe, Chair of LOCOG, said:- “The evening celebrations give the whole family a chance to share the excitement of the Olympic Games as we countdown to the Opening Ceremony.
“The event in Edinburgh is set for an exciting line-up, including performances from talented local people who will give each celebration a distinct feel. I am looking forward to the series of 66 evening celebrations showing how diverse the UK’s cultural life is as the eyes of the world turn our way.”
James Williams, Director, Olympic Torch Relay, Coca-Cola: “We are thrilled to be taking some of the nation’s best loved and most exciting up-and-coming musical talent on the road for an incredible 66 night tour to give young people across the country the chance to Move to the Beat and participate in the magic of London 2012. We’re encouraging everyone to join us in celebrating the Coca-Cola Future Flames who have carried the Olympic Flame through their communities by finding out more about their local events, and by getting tickets to the massive finale celebration concert in London’s Hyde Park by visiting www.ticketmaster.co.uk/coca-colacelebrations.”
Sally Hancock, Director, 2012 Partnership and Group Sponsorship at Lloyds Banking Group, said: “As the only National Presenting Partner of the Olympic Torch Relay we’re encouraging everyone to celebrate with Bank of Scotland as the Flame passes their front door. To find out how you can join in the celebrations with Bank of Scotland in your community and how local residents at each evening celebration site can win tickets to London 2012, please visit www.bankofscotland.co.uk/london2012.”
Andy Griffiths, Managing Director, Samsung UK and Ireland said: “We are delighted to be supporting the 66 Evening Celebrations during the Olympic Torch Relay. Samsung’s ambition is to make London 2012 everyone’s Olympic Games and for these celebrations we have created opportunities for as many people as possible to take part in what we’re sure will be an unforgettable experience.”
Tickets will be free of charge to the public and are limited to six per household. A small postage fee of around £0.80 will apply to each ticket.
Tickets can be obtained through www.ticketmaster.co.uk or by calling 08444999990
Doors for the evening celebration will open at 5pm with the show starting at 6pm.
On the morning of 14 June the Torch will leave Festival Square at 7 a.m. and will then travel down Lothian Road, Bread St, West Port, West Bow and George IV Bridge before going east down the Royal Mile before passing through Holyrood Park and exiting the city through Duddingston en route to Musselburgh.
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