Outdoor illuminations feel as though they were invented for Christmas 2020, says Joanna Moorhead

Anything that feels “normal” right now – especially if it comes with cheery music and a fun vibe – is the biggest treat in the universe, which is why an evening at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh on a chilly evening last week had me almost tearful with joy at the sheer Christmassy ordinariness of it all, as I dodged the showers and embraced the dazzle of the garden’s annual December light show.

It’s the fourth year of “Christmas at the Botanics” (until 3 January 2021) and the event has become Scotland’s most spectacular festive light show. For 2020 they’ve pulled out all the stops, with a mile-long twinkling trail and endless sparkly spectacles to “ooh” and “ah” over. Outdoor light shows feel as though they’ve been invented especially for this Covid Christmas: everything’s outside, it’s easy to keep your distance, and it’s hard to think of another seasonal entertainment that needs less adjustment for these exceptional times.