Fire and Ice captivates thousands as Castle of Light opens in spectacular style
Over 4,700 people descended on Edinburgh Castle this weekend as Castle of Light: Fire and Ice officially opened to the public!
Article Source: Castle Of Light
Last Updated: 23 November 2025 15:15
Over 4,700 people descended on Edinburgh Castle this weekend as Castle of Light: Fire and Ice officially opened to the public, drawing crowds from across the country for an action-packed launch filled with elemental wonder.
Fusing Scotland’s fierce spirit with its frozen beauty, Edinburgh and Scotland rugby stars Matt Currie, Adelle Ferrie and Merryn Gunderson took centre stage on the esplanade to ignite this year’s walking trail, triggering a dramatic eruption of light across the Castle walls.
Marking the start of a seven-week run for the UK’s largest annual projection show, Castle of Light: Fire and Ice will now transform the iconic fortress into an immersive world where ancient stories blaze to life after-dark, on select evenings until 4 January.
Matt Currie said: “It’s genuinely a massive honour to be here tonight and to play a small part in officially switching on the lights for Castle of Light. Edinburgh Castle is one of the most iconic landmarks in the world, and seeing it lit up with these spectacular projections and stories is truly special.”
Adelle Ferrie said: “Being up here on the esplanade tonight, seeing the buzz and excitement, really brings home how much this event means to Edinburgh. For us as players, getting to be part of such a great event that connects with the wider community is fantastic. It’s an amazing way to shine a light on what makes Edinburgh so unique. We’re incredibly proud to play our part in launching something that adds so much magic to the city’s winter calendar.”
Created by a consortium of Scotland’s leading digital and visual artists, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland, Castle of Light continues to be a highlight of Edinburgh’s winter calendar, drawing families, friends and visitors eager to see the Castle in a breathtaking new light.
Returning for its sixth spectacular season, guests are invited to wander through an awe-inspiring tapestry of storytelling projections, with dazzling installations and atmospheric sound displays shaped by the enchanting forces of fire and ice. From a dragon sweeping across the night sky to the Ice Queen gliding through the Great Hall, audiences will be captivated by mythical creatures, powerful storytelling and cutting-edge visual artistry.
One of this year’s most innovative moments is the dramatic reimagining of the ancient epic poem, Y Gododdin. Rather than using animation, the creative team collaborated with renowned Edinburgh-based artist Maria Rud, who painted her interpretation of the tale live in real time. With every brushstroke projected onto the rock face, Maria’s hands — and even her hair — become part of the artwork, making the creation as mesmerising as the story itself. The result is a raw, expressive performance that brings the ancient warriors of Y Gododdin vividly to life while providing a striking contrast to the high-tech digital installations seen throughout the Castle elsewhere on the trail, making it an early standout of the 2025 show.
Alastair Young, producer of Castle of Light, said: “This year’s story celebrates Scotland’s resilience, forged in fire, shaped by ice, and to see audiences respond with such awe and excitement has been hugely rewarding. Whether people joined us for the very first time or returned for another adventure, the reaction so far has been phenomenal.”
While taking in the spectacular light and sound displays, guests savoured winter drinks, indulged in treats from the street food vendors and toasted marshmallows by the fire pit, adding to the atmosphere of the crisp November weekend.
Kit Reid, Head of Experience at Historic Environment Scotland, added: “Castle of Light: Fire and Ice has arrived with extraordinary energy this year. Watching the Castle come alive as thousands of visitors explored its fiery origins and icy transformations has been incredible. The opening weekend set the tone for what promises to be our most atmospheric and enchanting trail yet.”
The event runs on select evenings from 21 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, with ticketed entry slots every 15 minutes between 4.30pm and 7.30pm. The last entry is between 7.30pm and 7.45pm, with the event closing at 9pm. A special reduced-capacity ‘quiet night’ will also take place on Sunday 7 December, offering a calmer experience with softer lighting, lower sound levels and no smoke effects.
To celebrate St Andrew’s Day, a special £10 ticket offer will be available for entry on Sunday 30 November, with pre-booking encouraged as tickets are selling fast.
For more information and to get your tickets, visit www.edinburghcastle.scot
Advance booking required.
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