Edinburgh Castle To Turn Blue

The Iconic landmark will be illuminated to celebrate the United Nation’s 70th anniversary.

Edinburgh Castle will be lit blue from dusk on Saturday 24th October. The castle will join landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Tokyo's Skytree Tower and the Leaning Tower of Pisa as part of a global initiative to turn the World UN Blue.

It’s been 70 years since the UN was formed. The castle will turn blue to mark the occasion and to encourage people to reflect on the United Nation’s achievements over the last seven decades.

Scotland has a valuable contribution to offer the world, in support of UN objectives, through our expertise on climate change and energy, our clear commitment to human and children’s rights, our work on public health and research, and our innovative approach to international development.

Culture, Europe and External Affairs Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said:

''Over the last 70 years the United Nations has protected and improved the lives of so many the world over. Tonight, we want to congratulate the UN on its many achievements and help to promote its message of peace, development and human rights by lighting Edinburgh Castle blue.

While we celebrate the UN’s 70th anniversary, we know that more work is required by all of us to fulfil the promise of a life in peace and dignity for all that the UN stands for. Scotland shares the UN’s value and goals and is committed to promoting them.

Many Scottish civil society organisations and individuals work hard to help the UN achieve its aims, often as unpaid volunteers. We want to thank them for this engagement and encourage more people to join their efforts.''

The Scottish Government’s international development policy, supported by a £9 million per annum International Development Fund targeted on 7 priority countries and dedicated themes, seeks to harness existing links that Scotland has.

The Scottish Government is strongly supporting UN efforts to secure an ambitious climate change agreement in Paris in December 2015 to limit global temperature rise to 2 degrees Celsius or less.

Members of the public are being encouraged to share their pictures @UN #UNblue