Youngsters win competition for fireworks posters

Now three artistic youngsters are set to make a bang across the city after designing posters to advertise the fireworks concert which will bring the curtain down on this year’s Festival.

The primary pupils came out on top in a competition run by the Evening News in conjunction with the Edinburgh International Festival, the Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Virgin Money to create colourful artworks promoting the September spectacle.

Budding artists Darcey Whalen, nine, and seven-year-olds Taylor McLellan and Ruth Mairi Shekleton impressed with their creative flair and will now be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the concert set-up at Edinburgh Castle, and four tickets to enjoy the colourful show from Princes Street Gardens.

Their winning designs will be used as the basis to create a series of posters which will be seen in bars, restaurants, cafes, libraries and shops across the Capital from the start of next week.

Entrants were asked to create a dazzling image of the fireworks as they imagined them on the night.

Darcey, a primary five pupil at Towerbank Primary School, said: “I felt really excited when I found out I had won because it took me a really long time to do the picture. I’ve never been to the Castle fireworks before so it was what I imagined it to look like.”

The competition was open to primary school pupils in Edinburgh, Midlothian, East Lothian and West Lothian ahead of the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert on September 2.

More than 100,000 fireworks choreographed to live orchestral music will light up the sky over the city against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Taylor’s mum Claire, 30, who lives in Gorebridge, added: “Taylor spent two days on and off on her picture and she was very pleased with it. It was a great competition to run at the beginning of the summer holidays, especially with the weather that we had.”

Ruth, a primary three pupil at Nether Currie Primary who used pencils and crayons to create her masterpiece, said: “I was just so excited because I thought that I hadn’t won. I spent quite a lot of time on it. I’m not sure who’s going with me to the fireworks yet, but I’m really excited.”

Head of PR for Virgin Money, Scott Mowbray, said: “Every year the Virgin Money Fireworks Concert brings together families from all across Edinburgh and the Lothians.

“We are delighted that this year local children could become even more involved by designing images for our concert posters.

“The pictures by Taylor, Darcey and Ruth Mairi have absolutely captured the magic and excitement of the fireworks, and their posters will give the local community a great sense of what’s coming as excitement builds towards this spectacular finale to the  Edinburgh International  Festival.”