A castle town with beautiful medieval streets
Edinburgh is a financial city located on the east coast of Scotland, facing the Firth of Forth. With a population of around 460,000, it has long thrived as a government and commercial hub, and serves as the political and cultural center of the Scottish region. Its beautiful streets, including the Old Town, are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The panoramic 360° view from Calton Hill, located in the heart of the city, never fails to captivate visitors.
The world depicted in the popular Japanese game “Dragon Quest III,” which became a national hit in Japan, was also modeled after Edinburgh. As someone who played the game frequently in my childhood, I was extremely excited when I finally set foot in this place in real life.
It’s about a 40-minute one-way bus ride from Glasgow, where I lived, with a fare of approximately £7 (around ¥1000), making it an affordable destination for occasional trips. Edinburgh and Glasgow are often compared, and there seems to be some rivalry between the citizens of each city. If I were to make a comparison with Japan, these two cities might resemble Osaka and Kyoto. Glasgow, with its modern atmosphere and numerous fashion malls, retains a hint of a down-to-earth charm, while Edinburgh, centered around its Old Town, offers the nostalgic charm of an ancient city. Although both cities are in Scotland, their atmospheres are entirely different.
Edinburgh Castle rising on the hilltop at the heart of the city
The city center of Edinburgh is broadly divided into the New Town and the Old Town. In contrast to the neatly planned and organized New Town, the Old Town features steep elevation changes and a maze of winding streets. Rising above the Old Town on a hilltop is Edinburgh Castle, which is considered the symbol of the city.
This photo was taken during my visit around November in winter. Starting from about 2:00 PM, the daylight gradually faded, and by 4:00 PM, darkness had deepened. Edinburgh Castle stands on a steep rocky hill, and there is nothing around the rock formation. As a result, only the castle walls, illuminated by a warm orange light, softly stand out from below.
Looking down from the hill where Edinburgh Castle is located, you can notice that the streetlights are designed to control the spread of light upwards. If the lights were the type that disperses in all directions for efficiency, they would inadvertently illuminate the rocky hillside, ruining the carefully planned lighting of the castle. However, here, proper consideration has been given. This is something that can only be achieved if the entire city, along with the surrounding environment, works in harmony, rather than lighting each individual building without thought.
The lighting uses LED floodlights, and the front façade is illuminated from below by fixtures placed in a deep moat. The texture, aged through history, gives the castle walls a beautiful, weathered look. Since a bridge spans the entire wall, shining light purely from directly below would cast the bridge in shadow, but by layering multiple lights from a diagonal angle, the shadowed area is made less noticeable.
The buildings inside the castle also use similar LED floodlights. These fixtures appear to be made by Philips, but since the castle is a historical building, efforts are made to minimize damage to the walls. The lights are mounted by inserting hardware into the gaps in the brickwork. However, since the fixtures are within reach of tourists and are not covered, it seems that adjustment screws are securely fastened, but regular maintenance of the lighting angles will likely be necessary.
When I visited, the castle was lit in a warm, amber-colored light, but during special events, it seems the castle showcases a more dazzling appearance with color lighting and projection mapping as part of the “Castle of Light” show.
[ Edinburgh Castle – Castle of Light ]
https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/whats-on/castle-of-light
Decorative lights that delight visitors and brighten the city
When I visited Edinburgh, the “Christmas Light Night” event was taking place on George Street, the main thoroughfare in the New Town. This event, which marks the beginning of the Christmas season, is held every year on the second Sunday of November. It’s not so much an event focused on the lighting display itself, but rather a celebration with performances by guests and loud music, creating a festive pre-Christmas atmosphere. Walking through the city, mingling with the crowds, I encountered various lights along the way.
One of the most eye-catching sights along George Street is “The Dome.” Originally built in 1847 as the headquarters of the Commercial Bank of Scotland, it is now used as a nightclub, restaurant, and bar.
This place is popular with both tourists and locals, and unfortunately, due to the busy Christmas season, I couldn’t enter. However, it is said that visitors can enjoy delicious meals and the elegant, luxurious interior. During the Christmas season, the building is decorated like in the photo, delighting the eyes of passersby.
[The Dome]
https://www.thedomeedinburgh.com/
The façade of Hollister features video panels installed inside the windows, creating a stunning effect as the sea and sky appear to spill out from the building. It made a huge impact. Additionally, there are intricately designed display windows throughout the city, making it a true example of “window shopping.” Even without buying anything, simply walking through the city lifts your spirits.
In today’s world, where online shopping allows us to buy products cheaply, the retail environment, including department stores in Japan, is becoming more challenging. The role of display windows may be changing as well, but we should not forget that the light emanating from each of these displays contributes to the liveliness of the city.
During the Christmas season, we often see Christmas markets, traveling amusement parks, and people enjoying ice skating in various parts of Europe. Edinburgh is no exception. The long, cold winter days can make one feel down, but events like these seem to be one of the creative ways to lift people’s spirits and make the season more enjoyable.
