Snow Queen’s welcome to a festival of frost and fire

A FIRE and frost spectacular is promised when Edinburgh Castle takes centre stage in the capital’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations.

Ice sculptures, a light projections, a lantern parade and a fireworks display will draw huge crowds to the attraction, which will be free of charge over the last weekend in November.

The celebrations are expected to be one of the highlights of the Christmas programme, which was launched yesterday.

A 14m-tall Snow Queen is expected to be one of the main attractions at the “Light Night” on 24 November, which will herald the opening of the ice rink, festive markets and giant Ferris wheel in Princes Street.

Extra events are being staged this year after the council decided against allowing traffic to return when tramworks are brought to a halt for the festive season at the end of November. These include live reindeers, a Santa Zumbathon “flash mob”, al fresco cafés and bars, and live music.

City centre shops will be staying open as late as 9pm in the run-up to Christmas.