New fireworks viewing areas created while Princes Street remains closed

Published on Wednesday 2 September 2009 09:43

THOUSANDS of spectators are set to watch the annual fireworks concert from new viewing areas on Waverley Bridge and Calton Hill.

Organisers will be setting up sound systems in both areas, due to the closure of Princes Street for tram works. There will also be the usual family viewing area, with a big screen and speakers, in Inverleith Park.

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Around a quarter of a million people around the city are set to watch the spectacular finale to Edinburgh's festival season on Sunday, which is the biggest concert of its kind in Europe.

Rose Street, Waverley Bridge and George IV Bridge will all be closed to traffic from 6pm to 1:30am, with the concert beginning at 9pm. The Mound and the south part of Hanover Street will only be open to ticket-holders. There will also be parking restrictions across much of the city centre. Additional viewing areas will be set up on North Bridge but the road will remain open.

Rod Bain will be producing the concert for the seventh year running.

Mr Bain said: "In terms of audience numbers, this is our biggest event of the year. It's always a wonderful atmosphere.

"We always plan the concert with Inverleith Park in mind, and we're delighted they're putting speakers in other places as well. People will have a spectacular view of the castle from both Calton Hill and Waverley Bridge."

One person who will not be watching the display is internationally renowned firework artist Keith Webb, from Pyrovision, who will be orchestrating it from a stone bunker in Edinburgh Castle. He already has 27 years' experience working on the Festival finale, and will spend the weekend fine-tuning the display.

All the tickets for the Ross Theatre in Princes Street Gardens have already sold out. More ticket-holders will be enjoying a picnic as they watch from the rest of the gardens. The concert will also be broadcast live on Forth One and Forth Two.