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“This is the best Christmas activity we’ve done” - our review of Spectacle of Light
Travelling to the event with my husband, daughter (11 years) and sons (10 and eight) we weren’t entirely sure what to expect but there was a mixture of excitement and intrigue.
As we drove through the Kings Gate entrance, wardens directed you to the car parks. It was dark and as we turned into the road down to Fort Douglas, you saw the lights! Everyone gasped. “It’s the coolest thing ever,” said my eight-year-old.
As soon as we parked the car, they were running up through the courtyard to the entrance of Fort Douglas.
It looks very magical; classical music playing in the background, trees lit with fairy lights, hanging lights, lanterns and glitter balls, transforming the play park and surrounding woods into a fantasyland.
As soon as we entered, we agreed a meeting point and then the children ran off to play.
Meanwhile us adults went to a winter food cabin to purchase hot chocolates (£2.50 each) and some giant marshmallow skewers (also £2.50 each). There was a big selection of soft and hot drinks and some alcoholic ones, you could also get mince pies, festive cookies, hot dogs, stovies and soup. Designated fire pits were nearby for the kids (or adults) to toast your marshmallows.
Our kids enjoyed the Sky Maze, going down the slides on their coats (even though it was very cold!), going through the secret riverbank tunnel and the flying fox – enjoyed all the more because it was dark: “Makes it more exciting,” said my 11-year-old.
The younger children’s play area is situated more in the centre. Some sensible parents had put head torches on their children, waterproof trousers and wellies. The ground was a little muddy but people were able to push pushchairs around easily.
Staff were situated throughout the park, in case you lose someone or need to ask any questions. They wore blue jackets to be easily identifiable.
Down by the riverbank, there is a display of multi–coloured parasols, which are stunning, along with a horse and some meteor lights on the grass.
We left Fort Douglas heading towards the orangery, which was illuminated so beautifully. We then visited the wishing tree, where you can give a donation to CHAS (Children’s Hospices Across Scotland) and write a wish on a ribbon, which you then tie to the tree. For me this was a magical end to the experience, especially when I thought my kids would wish for Lego but instead they wished for a cure for cancer. Reading others’ wishes was really heart warming.
We left with kids all rosy cheeked and me with a tear in my eye. What a lovely Christmas treat to do with the family and would highly recommend it. “This is the best Christmas activity we’ve done,” announced my ten-year-old.
*Spectacle of Light runs at Dalkeith Country Park until January 5 2020. Visit dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk