Edinburgh's Christmas tree lit up alongside gigantic rainbow to honour frontline workers

Edinburgh’s Christmas lights were switched on at the Mound tonight with a specially lit 18 metre-wide Christmas Rainbow to honour front line workers during the pandemic.

Christmas lights are switched on with a specially lit 18 metre Christmas Rainbow on the Mound to accompany the tree gifted by Norway (photo: Ian Georgeson Photography).

The Christmas Tree, gifted to Edinburgh City Council by the people of Vestland, a county in western Norway, now sits alight beside a glowing 18 metre-wide ‘Christmas Rainbow’ on the Mound to symbolise Edinburgh’s celebration of Christmas and gratitude for front line workers.

The lights were switched on by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Frank Ross and Norway’s Honorary Consul General David Windmill during Underbelly’s Light Night, the traditional switch-on event.

Cllr Frank Ross said: “Our annual Light Night signals the start for the festive season for me, but this year, like most things, we are doing it differently. Whilst we can’t come together as a city for Light Night, I hope this year’s Christmas rainbow helps us enter the festive spirit, spread some happiness whilst celebrating and paying tribute to those in in our communities, NHS, key workers, volunteers and businesses who have gone above and beyond in this most challenging of years.

The Christmas Rainbow symbolises both Edinburgh's celebration of Christmas and gratitude for front line workers during the pandemic (photo: Ian Georgeson Photography).

"The Christmas lights will be switched on throughout the city in the coming days and we hope this helps to create a festive atmosphere and I sincerely wish that we can all have the happiest Christmas we can.”

Mr Windmill said: “This beautiful tree in the centre of the city reflects the gratitude of the people of Vestland for help and support in the past and also the hope that this time next year we shall be celebrating the joyous and traditional Christmas in Edinburgh that we all know so well.”

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