Edinburgh Castle is the latest landmark to join in with an initiative that aims to raise awareness of the impact of climate change.

The castle is just one of a number of landmarks across the world to take part in Earth Hour.

Earth Hour is an event by WWF, which encourages individuals, communities, cities and landmarks around the world to switch off their lights simultaneously to show their support for action on climate change.

Edinburgh Castle is also just one of a number of Historic Scotland buildings participating in the venture. Other sites include Linlithgow Palace, Urquhart Castle, Stirling Castle, Castle Campbell, Dundonald Castle, Ruthven Barracks and Arbroath Abbey. All will turn off their lights for one hour on 29 March 2014 at 8.30pm.

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Susan Loch, Head of Visitor Operations for Historic Scotland, said: "A grassroots movement which has grown into a global phenomenon in just a few years, Earth Hour does a wonderful job of highlighting the problem of climate change.

"I am delighted that we will once again be supporting this worthwhile cause by joining landmarks around the world to switch off the floodlights at a number of our properties.

"As Scotland's biggest operator of visitor attractions, reducing energy use in our properties is very important to us and as an agency, we are committed to reducing our carbon emissions, as outlined in our Climate Change Action Plan which was launched in 2012."

Lang Banks, Director of WWF Scotland, added: "It's fantastic news that Historic Scotland is supporting WWF's Earth Hour yet again in 2014. This year looks set to be another amazing event with people, organisations and communities up and down the country joining together in a dramatic hour of action on climate change."

Other global landmarks participating in Earth Hour including the Eiffel Tour, Empire State Building and Sydney Opera House.

www.wwfscotland.org.uk/earthhour

(JP/MH)