Paris attacks: Scotland pays tribute

LANDMARKS across Scotland have been lit up in the colours of the French flag as the country pays tribute to the victims of the Paris terror attacks.

The SSE Hydro in Glasgow and the Usher Hall venue in Edinburgh were among two of the prominent buildings to light up in blue, white and red amid an outpouring of grief across the world.

Canadian rockers Nickelback are due to be playing at the 13,000-seater venue on the banks of the River Clyde while Edinburgh band Garbage are playing a homecoming gig at the concert hall in the capital’s Lothian Road.

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The band, fronted by Shirley Manson, tweeted last night: “Our love and prayers go out to all in Paris tonight. We are devasted to learn about such atrocities. Truly heartbreaking insanity.”

A number of people gathered outside the French Consulate in Edinburgh’s Randolph Crescent, barely ten months after the building was the focal point for tributes in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attack in the French capital.

In Glasgow, people congregated on the steps of the Royal Concert Hall at the top of Buchanan Street.

Some held signs reading ‘Je Suis Paris’ and ‘Pray for Paris’ while others lit candles and held up French flags. A number of banners were also placed on the steps.

In the city’s George Square, a large screen was lit up with a French flag and the words ‘Je t’aime’ - ‘I love you’.

The French national flag is flying at half-mast from Glasgow City Chambers, and will be projected on to the City of Glasgow College building tonight.

In a statement, the Lord Provost of Glasgow Sadie Docherty and Glasgow City Council leader Frank McAveety said: “France has always been a great friend to Scotland and Glasgow.

“The victims of this outrage were ordinary people simply enjoying their lives, and this could have happened in any city in the world. All of the people of Paris are in our thoughts and prayers.”

Around the world, the Sydney Opera House, the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Palace Albania building in Belgrade and Tower Bridge in London were also lit up in blue, white and red.