The iconic Scott Monument will be illuminated with new lighting to on the anniversary of Sir Walter Scott's death.

An LED system has been designed to highlight the Princes Street structure's intricate architectural features.

It will be lit up on Wednesday evening, exactly 184 years after the writer's death.

The lighting, which operates on a sensor, will be a permanent fixture on the city's night skyline.

Edinburgh's culture convener Richard Lewis said he was proud to bring the monument "out of the shadows".

He said: "The Scott Monument is an iconic and imposing memorial in the heart of Edinburgh and the new lights are in keeping with the 170 year-old structure.

"The scheme has been carefully created by a local Edinburgh firm to provide a soft night-time glow I'd like to think the original architect George Meikle Kemp would have approved of."

Natalie Redford, associate lighting director at KSLD, which designed the lighting, said: "The detailed statues and features of the monument provided the main inspiration and focus for the lighting scheme, which brings out the sparkle of the stonework.

"The majority of the luminaires used have been locally designed and fabricated and watt per watt, the new scheme has lower energy consumption.

"Already, the project has been shortlisted for a major design award and as the nights draw in, residents and visitors will get the chance to see the lights shine."

The project is part of a wider scheme to install and upgrade lighting at some of the city's most iconic structures and buildings.

Edinburgh World Heritage has supported the project with a £10,000 grant.

The Scott Monument, which was completed 170 years ago, remains the tallest memorial in the world dedicated to a writer.

Sir Walter Scott also inspired the name of the nearby train station, which is named after his novel Waverley.