Laser beam rainbow sends message of hope from Edinburgh to the rest of the world

A giant rainbow was beamed from Edinburgh Castle across the Scottish capital to send a message of love, hope and kindness from the city to the rest of the world.
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The night sky above the city was transformed by the multi-coloured laser beams as the “Global Rainbow" art installation, which is also intended to pay tribute to NHS staff and other key workers involved in dealing with the impact of the pandemic, was unveiled.

Said to be visible from up more than 10 miles away, it features seven parallel beams of light sent from Edinburgh Castle to the north of the city, above the National Monument on Calton Hill and the rooftops of Abbeyhill, Easter Road, Lochend and over the Firth of Forth.Rainbows were painted and drawn by thousands of schoolchildren across the UK when their schools were first closed down last year and swiftly became a symbol of hope during the pandemic.

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Created by Berlin-based artist Yvette Mattern, the static installation has been seen in more than 15 locations around the world since it was created in 2009, including New York, Sao Paolo, Toulouse and Toronto.

The Global Rainbow was originally intended to be beamed across Edinburgh as part of this year’s Burns and Beyond Festival in January, but was postponed due to new lockdown restrictions.

Organisers Unique Events revived the idea to coincide with this week’s first anniversary of the UK-wide lockdown.

It is not known how long the installation will run for, however Unique Events is urging people to view the installation “responsibly,” by following social distancing rules and avoiding travelling to see the vast work of art.

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Video footage and images are available on the official Burns and Beyond website and its social media channels to ensure it can be fully viewed by people at home.

Beechgrove Garden presenter Brian Cunningham at the unveiling of the floral rainbow on The Mound in Edinburgh earlier this week. 




COVID 19, CORONA VIRUS - A display of hope and encouragement by the Scottish Horticultural Industry.



DRAFT         Press release …. Embargoed until 23rd March 2021.



A display of hope and encouragement by the Scottish Horticultural Industry.  A 20m floral rainbow on The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town



A 20m floral rainbow on The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town



Message: A vision of hope… with spring just around the corner, now is the time to get out for some fresh air, exercise, and positive “head space” in your garden. Improve your health and wellbeing in your green space.  The floral Rainbow is an initiative by the Scottish Industry as the nation reflects on the past and looks forward to a more positive future. 

This a Scottish initiative by Scottish growers on behalf of the Scottish Horticultural Industry, for the people of Scotland… let’s get out and garden: 

1. Health and Wellbeing: Gardening brings well documented and significant benefits to mental health and well-being. People want and need access to garden plants and products as they make plans for the season. Last year nearly 90,000 more people took up gardening in Scotland as a way to keep busy, stay healthy and stay at home. We are increasingly realising how important gardens and plants are to people’s mental health and physical wellbeing.

3. Safe Trading environment: Garden centres are spacious, well ventilated with large outdoor areas. They have enhanced Safe Trading Protocols written by the Horticultural Trades Association to ensure shoppers and staff are always kept safe. To further support this, garden centres will implement “Shop & Go” style visits. YouGov Polls show consumers have the highest confidence in garden centres as safe environments to shop.

6. Contribution to Scotland The Scottish ornBeechgrove Garden presenter Brian Cunningham at the unveiling of the floral rainbow on The Mound in Edinburgh earlier this week. 




COVID 19, CORONA VIRUS - A display of hope and encouragement by the Scottish Horticultural Industry.



DRAFT         Press release …. Embargoed until 23rd March 2021.



A display of hope and encouragement by the Scottish Horticultural Industry.  A 20m floral rainbow on The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town



A 20m floral rainbow on The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town



Message: A vision of hope… with spring just around the corner, now is the time to get out for some fresh air, exercise, and positive “head space” in your garden. Improve your health and wellbeing in your green space.  The floral Rainbow is an initiative by the Scottish Industry as the nation reflects on the past and looks forward to a more positive future. 

This a Scottish initiative by Scottish growers on behalf of the Scottish Horticultural Industry, for the people of Scotland… let’s get out and garden: 

1. Health and Wellbeing: Gardening brings well documented and significant benefits to mental health and well-being. People want and need access to garden plants and products as they make plans for the season. Last year nearly 90,000 more people took up gardening in Scotland as a way to keep busy, stay healthy and stay at home. We are increasingly realising how important gardens and plants are to people’s mental health and physical wellbeing.

3. Safe Trading environment: Garden centres are spacious, well ventilated with large outdoor areas. They have enhanced Safe Trading Protocols written by the Horticultural Trades Association to ensure shoppers and staff are always kept safe. To further support this, garden centres will implement “Shop & Go” style visits. YouGov Polls show consumers have the highest confidence in garden centres as safe environments to shop.

6. Contribution to Scotland The Scottish orn
Beechgrove Garden presenter Brian Cunningham at the unveiling of the floral rainbow on The Mound in Edinburgh earlier this week. COVID 19, CORONA VIRUS - A display of hope and encouragement by the Scottish Horticultural Industry. DRAFT Press release …. Embargoed until 23rd March 2021. A display of hope and encouragement by the Scottish Horticultural Industry. A 20m floral rainbow on The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town A 20m floral rainbow on The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town Message: A vision of hope… with spring just around the corner, now is the time to get out for some fresh air, exercise, and positive “head space” in your garden. Improve your health and wellbeing in your green space.  The floral Rainbow is an initiative by the Scottish Industry as the nation reflects on the past and looks forward to a more positive future. This a Scottish initiative by Scottish growers on behalf of the Scottish Horticultural Industry, for the people of Scotland… let’s get out and garden: 1. Health and Wellbeing: Gardening brings well documented and significant benefits to mental health and well-being. People want and need access to garden plants and products as they make plans for the season. Last year nearly 90,000 more people took up gardening in Scotland as a way to keep busy, stay healthy and stay at home. We are increasingly realising how important gardens and plants are to people’s mental health and physical wellbeing. 3. Safe Trading environment: Garden centres are spacious, well ventilated with large outdoor areas. They have enhanced Safe Trading Protocols written by the Horticultural Trades Association to ensure shoppers and staff are always kept safe. To further support this, garden centres will implement “Shop & Go” style visits. YouGov Polls show consumers have the highest confidence in garden centres as safe environments to shop. 6. Contribution to Scotland The Scottish orn

Mattern said: “I’m really honoured and proud that this is happening in Edinburgh.

“It’s a truly positive gesture of hope and happiness. I really hope people see it that way.

“It will very look different depending on where people approach it from. In a way, it functions like a natural rainbow and has the same kind of wonderment, but can only be seen at night. I think it’s almost hypnotic.

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“It’s been clocked at more than 60 kilometres (37 miles) before – it all depends on the atmospheric conditions.

The National Monument on Calton Hill was lit up by the Global Rainbow.The National Monument on Calton Hill was lit up by the Global Rainbow.
The National Monument on Calton Hill was lit up by the Global Rainbow.

“We put a lot of thought and discussion into how to present it and where to present it and what kind of trajectory it would have.

“We all felt it would be majestic to have it beamed from Edinburgh Castle over Calton Hill.”

Unique Events directors Al Thomson and Penny Dougherty said: “As we pass the one-year anniversary since lock-down restrictions began, reflecting on the year past, but now looking ahead with renewed hope and optimism, we believe it is more important than ever to let some light back into our lives, celebrating the work of our NHS Staff and key workers, and look forward to a brighter future for all.

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“Global Rainbow lights up the skies above Edinburgh but we are asking everyone to please be responsible.

The National Monument on Calton Hill has been lit up by the Global Rainbow art installation by Yvette Mattern. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA WireThe National Monument on Calton Hill has been lit up by the Global Rainbow art installation by Yvette Mattern. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire
The National Monument on Calton Hill has been lit up by the Global Rainbow art installation by Yvette Mattern. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

“If you can’t see it from your local area, please don’t travel, but enjoy the images and video footage at the official website and on social media.”

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