Game of Thrones star takes the hot seat in drive to transform city centre beauty spot
● Actor has provided voiceover for animated film
A multi-million-pound campaign to help pay for a radical overhaul of part of Princes Street Gardens has been launched - with the revamp to be branded “The Quaich Project”.
Edinburgh-born Game of Thrones actor Iain Glen has recorded a voiceover for an animated film unveiled to coincide with the kick-starting of at least three years of fundraising efforts.
The Quaich will create a new arena for open-air concerts and events in West Princes Street Gardens, replacing the existing Ross Bandstand at the heart of “a landmark space that makes a clear statement about the city as a welcoming, diverse, historic and forwardthinking destination”.
Named after Scotland’s traditional cup of friendship, the brand is said to have been inspired by the bowl-shaped topography of the gardens, which host the Edinburgh International Festival’s fireworks finale and the centrepiece concert on Hogmanay.
The Ross Development Trust, which was created by former Edinburgh Playhouse owner Norman Springford after he offered to help pay for a new venue, said the £25 million overhaul would make the gardens “truly world class”.
Mr Springford, who has
0 A computer-generated image of the Quaich Project in West Princes Street Gardens which Game of Thrones’ Iain Glen is backing
offered to pay £5m towards The Quaich, declared: “Our ambition is to create a space that says something about us as a nation – a place we can all be proud of.”
The trust, which says it wants to “bring people together in new ways to celebrate one of Scotland’s finest green spaces”, hopes there will be a hike in the number of people using the gardens by opening up the area occupied by the bandstand for daily use and overhauling the wider landscape.
Glen’s voiceover states: “It’s time to write the next chapter in this landmark location’s story. It’s time to reimagine this place as a space for all, from local residents to international visitors. The vision is to create a space that is proud of its past, but celebrates the future, with contemporary designs and world-class amenities.”
Built in 1935 to replace a bandstand erected in 1877, the current structure was branded “no longer fit for purpose” by the council three years ago.
The new venue is unlikely to open until 2023, four years later than originally anticipated by Mr Springford, who revealed his plans in 2015.
Fundraising is expected to continue until the end of 2022, with work on the arena not expected to start until the project is fully funded.
However, some infrastructure improvements could be carried out well before then. The trust will be consulting on detailed designs for The Quaich within the next
few months, with a planning application expected to be lodged “early next year”.
An international design contest for a replacement was launched two years ago after councillors agreed to let Mr Springford pursue the project. A winning concept design, led by American architects WHY, was chosen in August 2017.
However, detailed design work and fundraising was put on hold amid behindthe-scenes wrangling over who would be responsible for maintaining and running the new-look gardens. Plans to set up a new arms-length organisation were shelved after a public outcry in favour of the council retaining full control.
The council is adamant that no more than five major events, which restrict access to the gardens, will be allowed each year. However, it insists a series of all-ticket concerts only counts as one event. Promoters have confirmed nine gigs in August under the banner of the “Summer Sessions”.
Mr Springford said: “Our vision is to champion a project to make the gardens truly world class and accessible to all members of the community.whetheraresidentoravisitor, they will welcome all and have something different to offer everyone, young and old.
“The renewed gardens will offer a more enjoyable and pleasant experience for everyone, whether they’re looking for a quiet place to stop and rest, want to enjoy a walk in the shadow of one of the world’s most iconic castles or want to enjoy a performance in a stunning venue.”
Donald Wilson, the council’s culture convener, said: “West Princes Street Gardens are a central and much-loved part of civic life in the city. One of our greatest assets, they are an important public space where everyone should feel welcome and enjoy the beautiful and iconic surroundings. The Quaich Project will realise the promise of the winning design and ensure enjoyment for generations to come.”