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Christmas at the Botanics
REVIEW
IS it really only the fourth year for the Botanics’ Christmas light show? It feels as much a part of the season as Elf and tinsel. But, yes, this is just the fourth year of Christmas At The Botanics, the light trail through the Royal Botanic Garden, which runs from now until January 3.
There are some old favourites on the mile-long twinkling route such as the 36m long Cathedral of Light (the one that features on all the pics) and some new features for 2020. Of course, the biggest difference this year is the presence of Covid-19. The sheer fact that it’s gone ahead is an achievement in itself – never mind that there are hardly any pantos on, it’s even one of the very few outdoor light shows to go ahead (Dalkeith’s Spectacle of Light is also on, see here for a review shortly!).
So firstly to Covid. We were very impressed by the health and safety measures in place – perhaps it was the damp and chilly night (but which night isn’t in Scotland in winter) but there felt like the limited capacity and timed entry slots worked well - there was a lot of space for distancing and very few people. Lots of staff on hand to guide and explain as well. There is also a one-way system, contactless ticket scanning and “reduced dwell times” – that’s don’t hang about in ordinary folk’s language, although at no point were we actually told to move on and there was plenty of time and space to stand and watch the light shows at the glasshouse and Inverleith House. There are also marked “dwell points” with space to linger to look at the view - or reorganise welly socks and reattach gloves.
So to the light installations. My personal favourite was the 21 Diamonds, a light show projected along the 128-metre side of the 1960s glasshouse which danced in time to a funky Carol of the Bells, and the Fire Garden, an expanse of flickering, glowing lights which did actually provide the “moments of tranquillity and reflection” promised despite being with two children. The Laser Garden is described as “an eclectic installation of thousands of constantly moving green laser beams”; my ten-year-old son stood in front of the beams and yelled “going into hyper-space!” My daughter’s favourite was Reflections, with lit-up waterfalls cascading into a pool. Aside from the actual installations, just the individual trees lit up so the beams showed off the shapes and textures of the bark and branches was rather beautiful. Lots of Christmas music and Santa himself (socially distanced but waving cheerfully as you pass) means there is plenty to put you in the festive spirit.
There are fewer food options than in other years, presumably due to Covid restrictions – just one spot for food, quite early on and you need to decide which queue to go in for food, drink or food and drink before getting to the food caravans which is tricky with young children who generally need to know every option before committing and have no concept of growing queues. We ended up with four hot chocolates, a big slice of panettone and two millionaire’s shortbreads for £16.50. Food options also include burgers and hot dogs.
*Christmas At The Botanics runs on selected night until January 3. Tickets: adults £19, members £16, child (4-16) £13, family £60, carers and under-fours free. Tickets on sale from www.rbge.org.uk/christmas