Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows: Lighting Spectacle Coming to Edinburgh in February
To mark Scotland’s year of History, Heritage and Archaeology the Georgian New Town will be lit up in Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows.
This will be a trail through the original Georgian New Town, from St Andrew Square to Charlotte Square.
Visitors will be able to admire the city’s architectural treasures while looking out for Georgian characters as they explore.
In St Andrew Square a lumière display will tell the story of the New Town plan with a digital fly-through recreating how it looked when it was first built.
Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows’ architectural lighting will include six of the city’s most iconic historical buildings which will come to life telling the story of Edinburgh’s influential past.
Launching on 23 February and running until 26 March 2017, the event will officially begin the events commemorating the 250th anniversary of James Craig’s plan for the New Town.
Edinburgh’s classically inspired Georgian New Town is considered a masterpiece of city planning, and together with the Old Town was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995.
Complementing the buildings used, the visual stories will show the city’s architectural highlights often missed by day and introduce celebrated characters like Sir Walter Scott and James Craig – the 28-year old, visionary architect behind the New Town, glimpsed with his faithful dog.
Visual displays will stretch through Edinburgh’s New Town with each location telling a different story. In St Andrew Square the visual lumière will offer a glimpse of some of the earliest residents of Georgian Edinburgh at dusk, the Melville Monument adding to the story with a recreated “fly-through” of the New Town Plan.
At the Assembly Rooms celebrating its 230th birthday visitors will be able to see what went on at Georgian parties there.
The six featured buildings include Dundas House on St Andrew Square, the Assembly Rooms on George Street, General Register House on Princes Street, Sir Walter Scott’s home at 39 Castle Street and Bute House on Charlotte Square.
This is billed as a flagship event of the Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology 2017.
Robin Worsnop, Chair of Edinburgh Tourism Action Group said “ETAG is delighted to be supporting this new event and in doing so aims to animate the city in its quietest months, creating yet more reasons to visit our wonderful city. Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows celebrates Edinburgh’s New Town in its 250th year andScotland’s Year of History, Heritage & Archaeology.
“Through the event we want to enrich our visitors’ experience by showcasing the history of our New Town in a unique and different way. We hope that visitors will enjoy Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows and through it, learn more about the story of Edinburgh’s New Town history and heritage.”
Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh, added: “We are delighted to be supporting this initiative, which promises to be both innovative and a wonderful chance to go back in time. It’s something that will appeal to local people and visitors alike, as they get a chance to sample the unique atmosphere of Edinburgh’s world-renowned city centre New Town in a truly novel way.”
Manuela Calchini, VisitScotland Regional Partnerships Director said: “2017 is the year to delve into the past and discover Scotland’s fascinating stories through a range of exciting experiences and events in celebration of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology.”
“Scotland’s history & heritage is defined by its people, both past & present, so it is fitting that Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows will commemorate the 250th anniversary of James Craig’s plan for the New Town, and indeed many of the wonderfully elegant buildings that still continue to hold a place in the heart of both locals and visitors to Edinburgh.”
Full information about Edinburgh’s Georgian Shadows will be available on edinburgh.org/shadows in the run up the event.
The event is supported by City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland as part of the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology, Scottish Enterprise and Essential Edinburgh.
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