Bells ring again for Tron’s party

Published on 15/11/2012 12:50

One of Edinburgh’s most iconic buildings is re-staking its claim to the city’s Hogmanay celebrations, with revellers set to descend upon the Tron Kirk for the first time in 20 years.

The Tron Kirk, which was built between 1636 and 1647 by order of King Charles I, is to be converted into an arts and cultural centre over the next four years, but will first play host to three days of unique New Year celebrations.

Up until the early 1990s, the street directly outside the Kirk, on the Royal Mile, was a popular place for people to gather and count down to the New Year. However, the larger celebrations based around Princes Street Gardens have become the main focus of celebrations over the past two decades.

The Festival of the Extraordinary is hoping to bring the party-goers back, with organisers Drambuie saying events will include live music performances, art installations, film screenings and mixology masterclasses, with Dali-esque surrealism given as the over-arching theme.

Artist Andy McGregor, who will be providing a 72-hour digital art projection, said: “I don’t want to give too much away, but I’ll be using quite a bit of digital manipulation and trickery to make the work extremely interactive. Visitors may find themselves actually providing part of the content in what can essentially be turned into a digital version of a funfair hall of mirrors. I think they will be very 
surprised!”

The 40-year-old, who lives in Portobello, added: “Working within the Tron Kirk really adds another level, it’s very exciting to use it as a canvas. That building is a gift to an artist.”

Martin Flyn, managing director of record label/art collective LuckyMe, who will be keeping party-goers on their feet with The Unexpected New Year’s Day party, said: “I’m excited to see what a club event within the Kirk would be like, it’s a really interesting space, and we’re bringing some great acts along including Eclair Fifi, The Blessings and our headliner S-Type. I can’t say too much, but everyone will definitely be hearing more about S-Type especially over the next year.”

Edinburgh City Council culture and leisure leader Councillor Richard Lewis said: “The Tron Kirk is one of the most significant buildings in the Old Town. We are keen that the building remains in public use and reached an agreement to allow it to operate as a Fringe venue this year and next and over the period of this year’s Winter Festivals.”

For more information and full listings, visit http://www.drambuie.com/uk/#extraordinary-happenings