Drone swarm filmed in the Highlands as part of virtual Hogmanay event
THE UK’S largest swarm drone show will be shown online as part of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations from tonight.
Fare Well, a new poem by Scots Makar Jackie Kay, is narrated by David Tennant, Siobhan Redmond and Lorne Macfadyen and is accompanied by the drone display, filmed in the Highlands near Spean Bridge and combined with views over Edinburgh.
Ms Kay wrote about the way that the air carries music, the virus, chants and hymns and talks about hope for the future, hope for a new year and hope for each other. Part One of Fare Well tonight looks at the year gone by – the funerals and weddings cancelled, the griefs and despairs which have been collective, with a feeling that the world has become a village.
A total of 150 drones were filmed for the display and sophisticated AI software was used to choreograph their movements.
The drones reached an altitude of 150m and top speeds of up to 25mph to form images created by Scottish illustrator Gary Wilson. Reflecting both the words from Jackie’s poem and the surrounding nature of the Highlands, the drones depict a series of images including a stunning stag galloping across the scenery and the Saltire Cross.
Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam, directors of Underbelly and producers of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, said: “As 2020 draws to a close, it was important both to reflect on the year gone by and to look ahead to a better new year.
“Over the last four months we have been innovating with an amazing team to design and produce this world-class event in Fare Well, which viewers from around the world can tune in to watch this Hogmanay.
Every year we celebrate
Edinburgh’s unique position as being the Home of Hogmanay and while we can’t gather in person, this online event gives us a moment to collectively join together to reflect and bid fare well to 2020.
“We would like to extend our enormous thanks to partners City of Edinburgh Council, the Scottish Government, Eventscotland and Creative Scotland. We will be sitting down with our families to watch part one tonight and can’t wait to reveal the rest of the story on the 30th and the grand finale on Hogmanay itself.”
The first part goes live from tonight. Visit www. edinburghshogmanay.com to see the display from 7pm.
Fare Well is split into three, fiveminute parts, that can be viewed online at 7pm on today, tomorrow and Thursday.
Exclusive behind the scenes and “making of” content will also be available to accompany the shows at the website.
Since starting at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2000, Underbelly has produced and presented events around the world in London, Hong Kong and Edinburgh and produced substantial events including Pride London and Edinburgh’s traditional Hogmanay.