The iconic gasholder, at the heart of the Council’s £1.3bn regeneration project at Granton Waterfront, will change how it is illuminated tonight to the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
The Council in partnership with Edinburgh College will host members of the local and Ukrainian communities to watch the switch on of the lights as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
This follows city leaders coming together at a summit held last week at the City Chambers to discuss Edinburgh’s ongoing response to the crisis in Ukraine.
Council Leader Adam McVey said:
Last week when we met at the City Chambers with the Ukrainian community, we made a commitment to offer support wherever we can. Lighting the gasholder is a symbol of our support and solidarity with the people of our twin city Kyiv and all of Ukraine. As the humanitarian crisis escalates in Ukraine, the people of Edinburgh have been extremely generous in offering support and donating to the Disasters Emergency Committee appeal to help those facing terrifying circumstances as they defend their country. We’ll also continue to fly the Ukrainian flag at the City Chambers and take local actions to support Ukraine further and condemn Putin’s illegal war.
Depute Leader Cammy Day said:
There’s more people of Ukrainian descent living in the Capital than anywhere else in Scotland and so we’re lighting up the gasholder as a display of our support for them. I’d like to offer my thanks again to the people of Edinburgh for their outpouring of support at this time of crisis for the people of Ukraine. We welcome Ukrainian citizens to Edinburgh and we will do whatever we can to support them.
Edinburgh College Principal and CEO Audrey Cumberford MBE FRSE said:
By lighting the gasholder in the colours of the Ukrainian flag, we, together with council colleagues, are demonstrating our solidarity with the people of Ukraine. At Edinburgh College, we stand with all of those who are suffering as a result of this war and are providing direct support to staff and students who are affected. We will continue to do what we can to support the local Ukrainian community in the city and are proud to play our part in Edinburgh’s collective effort to help.
Background on the Granton gasholder
Last year the UK Government announced £16.482 million of funding to help the Council unlock the first phase of the £1.3bn regeneration of Granton Waterfront focusing on the restoration of the B-listed Granton gas holder. Bringing this site back into public use is a key step in delivering one of the most sustainable new coastal towns in Scotland. This project recently took a major step forward when the Outline Business Case to develop plans for a first phase of regeneration in the area was agreed.
The gasholder has been a beacon of light in the area in a partnership project with Edinburgh College since May 2021. It’s been lit up in various colours, as work is ongoing on the City of Edinburgh Council’s £1.3bn regeneration of the area.