Fireworks display signals end to capital’s sparkling festival

AROUND a quarter of a million people will gather across the capital to take in the annual grand finale of Edinburgh’s festivals.

Set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, a fireworks display will signal the end of the 2016 Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe with aplomb.

Tonight’s display will feature music from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra alongside pyrotechnics which are being specially choreographed by international fireworks artists Pyrovision.

It bookends the visual mastery of the opening ceremony, when Edinburgh Castle was transformed into the ocean, the universe and a volcano.

Six festivals have been staged this month, including the Edinburgh Art Festival, the Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

This year, the Fringe – the expanded alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival – had 50,266 performances across 3,269 acts and 294 venues.

Fringe directors are hoping for a record year of ticket sales, which will be announced today.

This year’s festival featured performances from Scottish Hollywood star Alan Cumming, Scottish Ballet and chart stars Mogwai.

Other draws included a continuous reading of the Chilcot Report and the festival’s youngest ever performer – a seven-monthold baby.