EXCITEMENT is building for the opening of a winter festival in Glasgow.

 

Special guests flocked to the Botanics in the West End last night for a preview of Electric Gardens.

They wrapped up against the cold and were wowed by the specially placed lights, sound effects, and live music on the self-guided walking tour. throughout the gardens and Kibble Palace.

It opens to the public tonight and will run through until Sunday, February 15.

The Evening Times is supporting the event, which is being run by the West End Festival.

They hope to make it a permanent fixture on the Glasgow events calendar.

The 45-minute walks start every half hour from 5:30pm with the final walk setting out at 8:30pm.

Michael Dale, festival director, said they wanted to sustain the festival "all year-round".

He said: "This new event is something a little different for the west end and it suits the natural landscape the west end's leafy outdoors has to offer - or perhaps snowy given recent weather.

"We want The Electric Gardens to be a success as it will enable us to develop plans for year- round activity. It would be fantastic to be able to run this event again but this will very much depend on ticket sales this time around."

More than 40% of ticket sales are from outside Glasgow , meaning Electric Gardens will bring lots of visitors to the West End.

An amateur photography competition is running throughout the event, and a children's drawing competition is also taking place.

People attending are advised to travel by public transport to limit parking issues and lower the amount of traffic in the area.

Visitors are advised that the entrance is atQueen Margaret Drive across from the old BBC building.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.westendfestival.co.uk or by calling 0333 666 3366.