Highland theatre which became humanitarian aid centre to create Christmas tree tribute to virus victims

A leading Scottish theatre transformed into a humanitarian aid centre during the coronavirus lockdown is to turn a 30-foot Christmas tree into a work of art commemorating Scots who have died from the virus.

Volunteers sort food parcels for people shielding in Eden Court auditorium's earlier this year.

More than 3000 lights will be installed on the tree in the grounds of Eden Court in Inverness under theatre designer Kenneth MacLeod's special commission to “dress it”.

The venue was turned into a hub for the emergency response to the pandemic in the HIghlands, with its auditorium acting as a distribution centre for food parcels.

A star at the top of the tree – aimed to be a “part festive community tradition and part monument” – will represent the 50 deaths attributed to the virus across the Highlands, while more than 50 lanterns made by local primary school pupils will sit at its foot.

Kenneth MacLeod has been commissioned to create a 'part festive community traditional and part monument' for the grounds of Eden Court.

The historic Bishop’s Palace building at the theatre campus will also be transformed with cutting-edge light projections to coincide with the Christmas tree tribute being unveiled on 3 December.

Eden Court is one of the few Scottish theatres to have been unable to reopen its doors this year due to the low levels of coronavirus infection rates in the Highlands.

However back in the spring it was transformed within days of the venue being forced to close to the public after chief executive James Mackenzie-Blackman suggested to Highland Council that it could be used to help with the emergency response to the pandemic.

Volunteers sorted and packed up more than 1000 food parcels a week on the theatre’s main stage and inside its auditorium well into the summer months.

Eden Court was transformed into a humanitarian aid centre for the Highlands at the start of lockdown.

Although live events are not due to resume at Eden Court until February at the earliest, its cinemas and cafe-bar reopened in October.

The Christmas trees installation and the light display on Bishop’s Palace are part of a festive programme which also includes a film featuring the stars of Eden Court’s called-off pantomime, which will be shown in schools across the Highlands.

A spokeswoman for Eden Court said: “Eden Court’s building, and the land around it, will be looking its very best this winter, helped in no small part by a stunning 30-foot Norwegian spruce that will grace the front lawn.

“The tree serves as both a celebration of the season and a reflection on the momentous year we have all faced together.

Eden Court is one of the few theatres in Scotland able to reopen to the public this year. Picture: Gordon Bain

“The decorations are inspired by Eden Court’s unique architecture and local primary schools will be helping to make over 50 lanterns that will sit around the base of the tree.

“Part festive community tradition and part monument, the tree is an artistic response to both the season and the year we have just lived through together - a gift from the team at Eden Court to the people of the Highlands.”

Mr Mackenzie-Blackman said: “We’ve been absolutely determined to provide our audiences with a series of safe ways to engage with us this Christmas.

“From Kenneth MacLeod’s commission to dress our beautiful tree, through to providing employment to some of our panto company in making our short film and beaming into up to 175 Highland classrooms, I’m thrilled to have a team of such talent working around me.”

More than 1000 food parcels were packed on stage at Eden Court before being distributed across the Highlands by volunteers to people who were shielding. Picture: Jane Barlow

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