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Edinburgh's Christmas ice rink axed after almost 30 years

Getty Images The outdoor ice-skating rink in a Princes Street Gardens, filled with dozens of skaters wearing bright orange rental skates. The Scott Monument rises behind the rink, framed by large leafless trees, with historic buildings and crowds surrounding the scene on a winter day.Getty Images
The ice rink originally stood in Princes Street Gardens

Edinburgh's Christmas ice rink has been axed after nearly 30 years, organisers have confirmed.

The winter attraction, that has been on George Street in recent years, will not be present during the festive programme between 14 November and 27 January.

The ice rink has been a feature of the city centre celebrations over the last three decades. It was once in Princes Street Gardens before moving to St Andrew Square and then George Street.

Edinburgh's Christmas said the decision was made during the summer, due to uncertainty while part of Princes Street was still closed due to a fire that tore through the former Debenham's department store.

The seven-week festival is organised by arts company, Unique Assembly Ltd, who produce Edinburgh's Hogmanay and Edinburgh's Christmas celebrations on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council.

An spokesperson for the company said, "An ice rink requires a great deal of advance planning, with the ice rink supplier, design of structures and site arrangements committed months ahead.

"Those decisions had to be made over the summer, at a time when key parts of the city centre were closed and there was real uncertainty about when Princes Street would reopen and what the knock-on effects would be."

Getty Images An outdoor ice-skating rink at night winds through a festive market. Several skaters wearing bright orange skates glide along the ice, while a brightly lit helter-skelter slide and a traditional carousel glow with red, yellow, and white lights in the background.Getty Images
The rink was later moved to St Andrew Square

The spokesperson also said significant costs and no opportunity for funding support led to the decision.

"We know how much people have enjoyed skating as part of Edinburgh's Christmas celebrations, and we hope the rink will return as we start the planning process for future years," they added.

The Christmas fair in Edinburgh, which has been a mainstay of the festive season in the city since 1999, will still have many of the usual features such as the traditional Christmas Markets, live outdoor events, and fairground rides.