Edinburgh‘s Christmas lights were turned on on Thursday night, so when I was in town tonight for dinner the city was looking rather beautiful. St. Giles’ cathedral on the High Street was lit up against the backdrop of the last of the evening sun.

Opposite St. Giles’ are the Edinburgh City Chambers, which had a wintry scene projected onto its facade.

Edinburgh Castle was looking similarly resplendent in its illuminated state.

Beside the Scott monument was a fairground, two Christmas markets (one German, one Scottish), and an ice-skating rink down in Princes Street Gardens.

The Bank of Scotland was also lit up against the night sky.

Looking back towards Princes Street on my way home, the Scott monument looked fantastic, rising like a rocket from the lights of the fairground.