You are here: Home / Archives for edinburgh castle

Will the Olympics ring true in Edinburgh?

November 17, 2011 By 2 Comments

by Kirsten Hayley Waller

That outside of Edinburgh Castle could have the Olympic Rings displayed. Photo: S.Johnson

The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) is applying to Historic Scotland
to place the symbol of the Olympic rings on Edinburgh Castle during August 2012.

The rings will measure 8.5m in height and 18m in width, and will be displayed on the north-west rampart of the castle.

LOCOG have also submitted planning applications for other heritage sites, all over the UK, in a bid to make the 2012 games feel less London-centric.

A spokesman said they would not comment on ongoing applications and “would wait to hear the results.”

He explained the thinking behind this application was to ensure that there was “benefit across the UK for these games.” The plan is to “use the rings to draw attention to UK landmarks.”

The committee hope this will encourage foreign visitors to visit other parts of Britain, in addition to visiting London, for the Olympic Games.

LOCOG has worked with the Scottish Government, Historic Scotland and Edinburgh Council to establish the best location for the rings to be displayed.

The logistics of installing, maintaining and dismantling the rings will be undertaken by the Organising Committee, using funds from the central government in Westminster, and not from the Scottish Executive.

Historic Scotland released a brief statement to Napier News,  saying “We have received a Scheduled Monument Consent for a temporary application for the Olympic Rings installation at Edinburgh Castle which is going through the due process.”

The Cockburn Association, who promote the conservation of Edinburgh’s landscape and architecture, have previously expressed their disgust at this plan. The Director, Marion Williams, said “I think it’s daft, insulting and ridiculous. They should leave the castle alone and get on with having the Olympics in London. Edinburgh has other things to worry about at the moment. “I’m not grumpy about the Olympics, but I am grumpy about London stamping its mark on Edinburgh.”

What do you think about the Olympic Rings coming to Edinburgh Castle? Contact Napier News and let us know.

Filed Under: Sports Tagged With: , , , ,

Turn off your lights with WWF for ‘Earth Hour’

March 25, 2011 By Leave a Comment

Source: Maverick Photo Agency

By Georgi Bomb

This Saturday, 26 March, remember to switch off your lights at 8.30-9.30pm as people around the world sit in the dark to join in the world’s biggest environmental campaign, set up by WWF.

WWF are doing their bit for climate change week with ‘Earth Hour.’ It started in Australia during 2007 and has now stretched across 35 countries.

On 26 March at 8.30pm, not only will people in their homes switch off their lights but offices, government buildings and iconic landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle will be taking part in the campaign.

Tune into Edinburgh Napier News radio for the 12:30pm and 1:30pm bulletins where they will be talking to the director of WWF Scotland, Dr. Richard Dixon.

Filed Under: MA Friday, News in Brief, Science and Technology Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Can Edinburgh Castle, be an army base for another 10 years

March 1, 2010 By Leave a Comment

A 10-year plan for Edinburgh Castle has been agreed, which reinforces the commitment between Historic Scotland and the Army to share the site. There were previous concerns that the military would pull out of the base, leaving it as only a visitor attraction.

The castle remains an army base, as well as Scotland’s biggest visitor draw, and the plan will bolster co-operation in the use of its space. The castle is  Scotland’s leading tourist attraction with over a million visitors each year and hosting major international events such as Homecoming 2009.

Some souvenir shops look forward to this plan because it will help the castle attract more tourists and host more events resulting in an increase in profits. However, some local people do not care much about the plan and how the castle is used for military purposes. Nearby residents told Edinburgh Napier News the castle should simply be used by everyone as much as possible.

Today tourists in the city seemed to know very little about the plan. Some commenting that the attraction will always be popular with visitors because of its historical importance and fantastic appearance.

Filed Under: Life and Society, Travel and Communities Tagged With: , ,

The Venus Effect

November 4, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Tracy Norris

Historic Scotland is celebrating dramatic visitor numbers to Edinburgh Castle thanks to ‘The Venus Effect’.

A two week exhibition of the Orkney Venus to coincide with school half term has been extended by a further two weeks after the Castle welcomed a huge 17% increase in visitor numbers compared to the same period last year.  This amounts to an additional 7,000 visitors over the fortnight.

 

mb190809020

The Orkney Venus. Photo courtesy of Historic Scotland

Barbara Smith, Edinburgh Castle executive manager, said: “It has been fantastic to see how much interest there has been in the Orkney Venus.

“Adults and children alike have been really excited to get close to this ancient figurine for themselves.

“As a result we have decided to keep the carving on show until 15th November to give more people the chance to see it for themselves and spend the day enjoying everything else the castle has to offer.”

The enchanting Orkney Venus is a tiny figurine measuring only 4cm high and is the oldest known depiction of a face to be discovered in the UK.

She was discovered during archaeological excavations this summer on the Orkney island of Westray.  Fondly referred to locally as the Westray Wife, the figurine is due to go on a travelling exhibition to other venues throughout Scotland, before finally returning to a temporary display at the Westray Heritage Centre.

Orkney has already waited over 5,000 years to see her face and it looks like they’ll have to wait a little longer than expected until she returns.

 

 

Filed Under: Features Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Orkney Venus Comes to Edinburgh

October 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Tracy Norris

Barely over 4 centimetres tall, the Orkney Venus saw daylight for the first time in 5,000 years when she was unearthed by archaeologists this summer.  Found during an excavation by Historic Scotland on the Orkney island of Westray, the figure is a rare and exciting find.

“]Archaeologist Jakob Kainz made the discovery of the face [Pic: Historic Scotland]

Archaeologist Jakob Kainz made the discovery of the face [Pic: Historic Scotland

Not only is the charming, simplistic figurine the oldest depiction of a human discovered in Scotland, it is the oldest depiction of an actual face ever found in the UK.

Orkney is famed for the Neolithic site at Skara Brae, and this latest discovery on Westray further establishes the immense archaeological importance of Orkney.

Small eyes and a heavy brow are scratched into the soft stone of the figure.  What seem to be breasts suggest she is female and locals have fondly named her the Westray Wife.  More scratched marks suggest clothing and perhaps hair.

What was she for?  Well, that’s what experts are hoping to discover at the National Museum of Scotland when they study her in more detail this month.  According to Historic Scotland, ”in the immediate future it is likely that experts are likely to generate at least as many questions as answers as they try to get to grips with the significance of the Orkney Venus”.

The figurine has been brought to Edinburgh for further studies and is currently on display at Edinburgh Castle until October 3rd.  Children can visit free if they say the word ‘Orkney’ when they arrive at the ticket desk.  As the City’s schools are enjoying half term, the Orkney Venus is likely to be a big draw for visitors to the castle, particularly families.

The Orkney Venus will continue a tour through several Historic Scotland sites, eventually returning home to Orkney where she will be displayed for visitors to the islands.

Filed Under: Life and Society, News in Brief Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Scotland’s time to shine.

October 21, 2009 By Leave a Comment

By Julia Bruce

Courtesy of homecomingscotland.com
Courtesy of homecomingscotland.com

Scotland’s own Edinburgh Castle has seen a 7% annual increase in visitors in 2009 alone. This surge could be down to the year of the homecoming which has made way to over 400 events, adverts and public interest over the past year.

250 year’s later, is appears that Scotland still holds as much intrigue as did back in the era of Robbie Burns. The homecoming came from the Scottish Government‘s aspiration to increase Scottish Tourist by 50% by 2015.

Of course there has been public outcry at the amount of tax payers money that has been spent on these patriotic celebrations. According Visit Scotland, the core budget of £5.5m, includes £3m for programme, £1.75m for marketing and communications and close to a million pounds for operational costs. In response to the success and reasoning behind this particularly fat budget s spokesperson for Homecoming Scotland 2009 said, ‘Several factors have indicated that the celebration has been a success and is well on its way to meeting its targets.  An extensive evaluation and report will be available after Homecoming Year, in Spring 2010.” Furthermore, the target is to deliver an 8:1 return on the core investment of £5.5 million by generating £44 million of tourism revenue for Scotland in 2009.

So with all this money being spent, it is comforting to know that people are acutally aware of the homecoming taking place. According to a YouGov poll (July 09), 87% of Scottish people are aware of Homecoming, and this figure has grown significantly from the 29% reported in August 2008.

A spokesperson for Historic Scotland also views the Homecoming as a success by the tourism sector: “Overall the Year of Homecoming has proved very positive for Historic Scotland and we hope to build on its success for the future”.

Perhaps in a time of such economic unrest there is no better way than to pull together as a nation and make the most of our valuable and historic resources.

Filed Under: Life and Society, Travel and Communities, Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Edinburgh switches off for Earth Hour

March 30, 2009 By Leave a Comment
earthhour

Earth Hour in Edinburgh

By Annabel Cooper

Major city landmarks and municipal buildings were plunged into darkness for an hour on Saturday night as Edinburgh joined 830 cities around the world for the World Wildlife Federation‘s (WWF) Earth Hour.

Edinburgh Castle, the Forth Rail Bridge, the Scott Monument and the National Galleries were among the public buildings taking part in the mass switch off. The synchronised, world wide blackout aimed to publicise the effects of climate change ahead of this week’s G20 summit. Earth Hour began in Sydney in 2007 but this was a first for Edinburgh. Council leader, Jenny Dawe, was instrumental in bringing the symbolic protest to her city. She said:

‘A colleague in the council had told me about Sydney 2007 and I thought it was such a great idea that I really wanted Edinburgh to take part this year. It’s a way of making people think about the environment and their part in making the world a better place to live.’

Standard Life and Lloyds Banking Group were among the Edinburgh based commercial companies who lent their support to the protest. They joined the thousands of homeowners across the city who chose to sit it out in the dark alongside one billion others worldwide. The protest comes at a good time for campaigners who hope climate change will not be knocked off the international agenda by financial woes and at a time when the Scottish Government is looking to pass its Climate Change Bill, and Edinburgh Council implements its Carbon Reduction Plan. Council Leader Jenny Dawe is adamant everyone can do their bit. She said:

‘We take the issue of Climate Change very seriously. As part of the carbon reduction plan , the council is working with developers to ensure that all new buildings aim to be carbon neutral. Edinburgh Council alone cannot save the world but if we can get as many other people as possible to buy into this agenda, then it will be all the better for the future.’

Click below to hear full interview with Council Leader Jenny Dawe
Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: , , , , ,

Edinburgh’s World Heritage Status questionable

November 12, 2008 By Leave a Comment
An awe-inspiring sight

An awe-inspiring sight

By Suzanne Bargon

The fate of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Status lies at the hands of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) as they begin a four-day tour of Scotland’s Capital City today.

Edinburgh shares the title along with other inspiring wonders of he world including the Egyptian pyramids and the Taj Mahal. Although now it is an accredition that we Scots are pondering the value of.

Edinburgh was awarded the accolade in December 1995 and who would have thought that just almost a decade later there could be a chance that the title could be stripped from us.

But rather than shake at the thought of this, many are questioning the value to Edinburgh of having World Heritage status, as well as the right of Unesco to put the city under the microscope.

Unesco officials will be whisked around the capital and will be looking specifically at the redevelopments of the St James Centre, the Haymarket hotel development, Caltongate development in the Old Town and the regeneration of Leith Docks. These developments have sparked fears over the impact on Edinburgh’s World Heritage Status.

They will also visit other parts which will be under scrutiny such as Edinburgh Castle, the Scottish Parliament, St Andrew Square and Charlotte Square.

The investigation is being fronted by Dr Mechtild Rössler, Chief of Europe and North America at Unesco’s World Heritage Centre and Professor Manfred Wehdorn of the International Council on Monuments and Sites. They are visiting Edinburgh straight from an investigation in Bath.

Filed Under: Economy and Business, Life and Society, Travel and Communities Tagged With: , ,

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 21 other followers

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.