Green Light For Edinburgh Castle To Mark St Patrick's Day

Edinburgh Castle will turn green to mark St Patrick's Day on 17th March in recognition of the "mutually important relationship'' between Scotland and its neighbour. The move was announced by External Affairs Secretary Fiona Hyslop during a visit to Dublin. The castle joins other global landmarks celebrating the day, including the Colosseum in Rome and the Sacre-Coeur Basilica in Paris. Ms Hyslop is in Ireland to address the British Irish Chamber of Commerce on what she said was the importance of Scotland and Ireland's membership of the European Union. She said: "Turning one of Scotland's most iconic buildings green for St Patrick's Day is a fitting way to show the importance we place on our relationship with Ireland and a celebration of the friendship which exists between our two nations.'' Irish Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan said he appreciated the Scottish Government's gesture. "The addition of such a landmark to the already impressive list of iconic locations going green on St Patrick's Day is another important moment in the friendship between Ireland and Scotland, and literally highlights our ever-strengthening links,'' he said. Ireland is Scotland's eighth largest export market and 85 Irish-owned companies operate in Scotland, employing nearly 6,000 people.