Scotland's largest Menorah is lit in Edinburgh

Image source, Chabad Lubavitch of Edinburgh

Scotland's Largest Menorah has been lit in Edinburgh to mark the start of the Jewish Hanukkah celebrations.

The giant Menorah in St Andrew Square is one of more than 20,000 to light up city centres around the world.

Organisers said the Menorah symbolises a universal message of religious freedom.

It was lit in Edinburgh on Wednesday. It was followed by a reception at the Royal bank of Scotland with the Lord Provost of Edinburgh.

There was live music, dancing, doughnuts, latkes, and traditional Hanukkah foods.

Rabbi Pinny Weinman, of Chabad Lubavitch of Edinburgh, said: "The eternal message of the Menorah lights has attained particular significance in light of current world events where the forces of oppression and darkness are ever-present.

"As we experience additional countries and entire regions being freed of their oppressors, we relive the experience of Hanukkah in our very own times.

"It is the story of a little light pushing away an empire of darkness, human sensibility defying terror and brute force, life and growth overcoming destruction."