Race preparations at Princes Street Gardens

Staff were today putting the finishing touches to a unique race course around the normally peaceful ground of Princes Street Gardens, ahead of an event featuring two stars of Formula 1.

A race track is being created in Princes Street Gardens ahead of an event featuring Formula 1 stars Jenson Button and Mika Hakkinen. Pic: Ian Georgeson,

The event, being held on Thursday, will see stars Jenson Button and Mika Hakkinen appear, along with Danish driver Kevin Magnussen, to promote Join the Pact, an initiative by Johnnie Walker to encourage responsible drinking.

The drivers will take the wheel of a McLaren passenger car and a number of supercars as they traverse the specially designed course, witha special viewing area for spectators created at the Ross Bandstand and a lucky few getting the chance to take a ride and experience the precision driving skills at first hand.

Footage of the event will be used around the world to promote the anti-drink drive message at Christmas.

Johhnie Walker has also partnered with Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and Lothian Buses to provide a free bus service for revellers on Hogmanay.

Guy Escolme, Johnnie Walker global brand director, said: “We are incredibly excited to be bringing this event to Edinburgh, the home of Hogmanay and a truly iconic stage, to promote our global never drink-drive message this festive season.”

The Formula 1 stars will appear in West Princes Street Gardens from 11am to 1.30pm.