Have you ever wondered what happens at night at Edinburgh Castle when all of the daytime visitors have left and the Castle closes? Well, the Castle comes alive of course! This week’s post is a wee glimpse into the Edinburgh Castle evening spectacular, ‘Castle of Light’. We have been anxiously waiting for this show ever since they announced it several months ago. In fact, we made sure to take advantage of the early bird ticket sales which- coupled with our Historic Scotland membership discount- gave us a great deal for such a top-notch show. Thus, be assured that this post is not sponsored as we paid for our own tickets and attended a regular showing.
This article will provide a brief look at the show- especially for those who cannot make it here to Scotland. At the same time, we don’t want to spoil the fun and surprises. So, if you come to Edinburgh between now and the 22nd of December, be sure to book your tickets for the show on the Edinburgh Castle website so that you can enjoy the full experience. But now, without further ado, we present Edinburgh Castle’s….'Castle of Light'.
A few years ago, we were fortunate to witness the ‘birth’ of the concept of light projections on castles when it was first developing at a ‘Castle’ and land far, far away…in Florida at Walt Disney World’s Cinderella Castle. It was amazing to see how precise the technology was in projecting images to perfectly fit that fairy-tale castle. Therefore, when we heard about a similar technology being used at Edinburgh Castle, we knew that it was going to be spectacular (we even had a bit of a preview of the castle light projections when we attended the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. You can read more about that here).
And, let me tell you, the Castle of Light extravaganza does not disappoint. From the moment that you walk up the Castle Esplanade, you are drawn into some fantastic storytelling. The light projections, music, and even the firelit torches, have a mesmerising quality that immediately captures your attention. There are some incredible images projected onto the front façade of the Castle, and as the ‘snow’ seemingly settled onto the Scottish legend, William Wallace (see below), we crossed the bridge and entered the Castle.
The various parts of the show are located at different areas across the Castle compound and are outside. So, if you are fortunate to attend in person, make sure to dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes. Also, be prepared that you will be navigating the Castle grounds under very dark conditions; be sure to mind your step on the cobblestones and ground that can be uneven at times. That being said, having the chance to explore Edinburgh Castle at night and coming upon the various surprises throughout was absolutely delightful! I felt a bit like a kid again as I found myself eager to push on through and find the next wonder awaiting us.
Historic Scotland, along with the producers of the show, have done a wonderful job at bringing the history and myths of the Castle to life. It is fun for all ages with storytelling elements that are sure to delight everyone who attends. There are moments filled with playful fun as well as poignant moments that touch the heart.
Perhaps one of my favourites was the sleeping dragon…or was he? We didn’t want to take any chances, so we tip-toed quietly as we walked by. The sleeping dragon is just one beautiful projection that lit up our night. However, there is so much more to experience and we had an incredible time.
Our evening full of magical lights could not have come at a better time as the days are quite short (the sun now sets before 4:00 pm) and the dark nights are so long. So, if you are coming to Edinburgh for the holiday season, we recommend you book tickets for Edinburgh Castle’s, ‘Castle of Light’. It will provide a magical evening of entertainment sure to light up any night.
And, if you would like to see the rest of the city come alive, consider booking one of our Edinburgh walking tours. Our tours bring the history, myths, and legends to life through the enthusiastic storytelling of Sami (our human tour guide) who is often accompanied by our fluffy Golden Retriever tour guide, Sawyer. We hope to see you soon!
Until next time- Explore & Discover!
