Festival finale set for the big screen

FIREWORKS and music to bring down the curtain on the Edinburgh International Festival will be shown on two giant screens.

The display is the biggest of its kind in Europe and was watched by 250,000 people last year from various vantage points across the Capital. Organisers hope to make it more accessible on Sunday by providing the big screens to ensure everyone can see the members of the orchestra.

Acclaimed conductor Clark Rundell has been rehearsing with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra ahead of their performance of a selection of music by US composers Bernstein, Gershwin, Barber, Ives and Copland.

Meanwhile, firework artists Wilf Scott and Keith Webb and their team of 15 technicians have been working at the Castle preparing the pyrotechnics. More than 100,000 fireworks, totalling four tonnes of explosives, will light up the night sky in a dazzling 45-minute display.

As well as on the giant screens in Princes Street Gardens, live footage will also be shown in the Bank of Scotland family viewing area at Inverleith Park.

Roy McEwan, managing director of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, predicted a great show to rival the best from previous years.

"This year's music will be as colourful as the fireworks and just as explosive," he said. "The great team of Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Bank of Scotland and Edinburgh International Festival will once again come together to provide a suitably climactic end to the festivals season."

Jonathan Mills, director of the Edinburgh International Festival, said: "The Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert offers everyone a chance to celebrate the end of the festival in spectacular style."

Edinburgh Lord Provost George Grubb welcomed the viewing area in Inverleith Park.

He said: "Do ensure you keep safe and listen to advice from the police and stewards as they are there to help you."

Tom Halpin, Lothian and Borders Police deputy chief constable, added: "This year's fireworks display promises to be an excellent event with large crowds expected across the city centre.

"As always, public safety is our main consideration. We would ask that people do not bring glass or bottles to the event and would encourage families to make use of the viewing area at Inverleith Park.

"We would ask everybody to follow the safety advice given by police officers and stewards and I am sure this will prove to be a very enjoyable night."

The event will bring disruption to motorists in the city, with parts of Princes Street, Frederick Street, Castle Street, The Mound, and Hanover Street likely to be closed for long periods on Sunday and Monday (see below).

EXTRAVAGANZA TO DRIVE UP TRAFFIC TROUBLE

THE annual festival finale of fireworks and classical music in the Princes Street Gardens will bring major disruption for city motorists.

• Preparation work is set to start at 12.30pm on Sunday, when the council will close Princes Street from South Charlotte Street to South St David Street, Frederick Street from Princes Street to George Street, and Castle Street from Princes Street to George Street.

• At 4pm The Mound, from Princes Street to its junction with Market Street, and Hanover Street, from Princes Street to George Street, will also be closed.

• From 6pm, the impact will become more widespread with Rose Street, Rose Street North Lane, Rose Street South Lane, North Bank Street, Bank Street, Mound Place, Ramsay Lane, Ramsay Garden, St Giles Street and George IV Bridge all closed, along with a section of Market Street between Waverley Bridge and The Mound.

• The last batch of roads affected will be closed at 7.30pm. They will include Princes Street, from Lothian Road to South Charlotte Street and from South St David Street to North Bridge, Lothian Road northbound from West Approach Road to Princes Street and southbound from Princes Street to Castle Terrace, the whole of South Charlotte Street, and Shandwick Place between Stafford Street and Lothian Road.

The council will also close a 70-metre stretch of Rutland Street, Waverley Bridge, South St David Street, St Andrew Square, North St Andrew Street, South St Andrew Street, Meuse Lane, West Register Street, West Register Street Lane, Register Place, Carriage Drive and Calton Hill, from its junction with Waterloo Place for a distance of about 20 metres.

St Andrew Square and North St Andrew Street will remain open to buses. All the roads are set to reopen at 1.30pm on Monday.