New scheme aims to bring architectural gems out of gloom

BY DAY, the historic heart of the Capital is widely regarded as having some of Europe's most stunning architecture.

Yet when night falls, some of its most beautiful buildings fade into the darkness.

That could now be about to change under a new scheme which aims to light up a series of the city's best-loved monuments, statues and buildings – in pink or purple.

Essential Edinburgh – the company that manages and promotes Edinburgh's business improvement district between Princes Street and Queen Street – has carried out an initial pilot exercise where a specialist lighting company illuminated a number of historic statues and buildings, including the statue of George IV on George Street and the church of St Andrew's and St George's.

It also intends to ask shops to consider lighting the outside of their buildings at night instead of the inside, to make a bigger impression on the street.

Tom Campbell, chief executive of Essential Edinburgh, said: "We are always looking for creative ways in which we can enhance the business improvement district and the idea of innovative lighting is one we are looking at very seriously.

"The business improvement district (BID) sits in the heart of the World Heritage Site and we are fortunate to be able to enjoy the fantastic architectural beauty of this unique shopping and leisure destination.

"The trouble is we can only really enjoy most of it during daylight hours and during the winter those hours are quite limited.

"At Essential Edinburgh we wanted to look at different ways we could use lighting to enhance the architectural heritage and the experience of people visiting the BID during the evening."

He said that the initial pilot with Northern Lights, which used pink and purple lights, was intended to show what sort of impact illumination could make.

The group is now to analyse in detail how much it would cost to fund a permanent scheme.

If the costs are seen to be too expensive for Essential Edinburgh to pay alone it would seek partner groups or other sponsors for the project.

The idea of lighting up historic buildings and monuments has been welcomed by the Capital's leading heritage group.

Marion Williams, director of the Cockburn Association, said: "Anything that enhances the beauty of Edinburgh is great and there are a number of special pieces that are well worth highlighting.

"Edinburgh as a capital city could do with having more life about it at nighttime, as other capital cities do.

"The Scott Monument can just disappear in the dark. I would not want it to look like Blackpool illuminations but as long as it was done in the right manner it could work well."