Aberdeen lit up by Spectra-cular light show

Butterfly Dream by Anne Bennet at Aberdeen Art Gallery. She said; "Installed inside the Remembrance Hall, lovingly handcrafted butterflies made from bio-resin which seek to reflect the many different meanings that these creatures can represent, such as a new beginning, eternal life or simply the lightness of its being."

The darkness of winter has been banished in Aberdeen as the city's light festival Spectra was switched on ahead of the weekend.

The award-winning festival of light is celebrating its 10th year of illuminating the city's landmarks.

The anniversary programme highlights some of the most iconic buildings and its architecture has been transformed by artworks and interactive installations.

The free festival runs until Sunday 11 February.

These stunning images were captured on opening night.

Laser beams will cross across the city in vibrant colours until Sunday.

Submergence by Squidsoup in Union Terrace Gardens is described as "thousands of points of suspended light. The immersive experience blends sound and light to create a hybrid experience that blurs the boundaries between natural and artificial worlds - walk through this large-scale work and be wowed by a renewed sense of presence and movement".

The Studio Vertigo's Spin Me A Yarn is an oversized ball of radiant wool with a long trail of yarn that invites audiences to follow its path, in Union Terrace Gardens.

His Majesty's Theatre is lit up by a new projected artwork by Double Take, with choreographed dancers and performers appearing larger-than-life as they play across the building's frontage.

Winds of Change by Heinrich & Palmer at Aberdeen Art Gallery: "A large-scale light, sound and film projection installation exploring the rich maritime story of Aberdeen from its origins in shops and oil, all the way to the transition towards renewable energy sources."

Winds of Change put the transition to green energy into its show.

Squidsoup's Submergence sees Union Terrace gardens illuminated by thousands of points of suspended light in an immersive experience.

Lightstream by Flora Litchfield is in the courtyard at Marischal College.

Flora said her installation would "take visitors on a visual journey through the oral histories of Aberdeen. As laser beams merge, pulse and breathe, they join together with snippets of voice and melody to create an intuitive and multi-sensory work like no other".

Textures by Lem at St Nicholas Kirk. "Lem's textural lighting projects onto the iconic facade of St Nicholas Kirk".

Continuum by Illumaphonium outside Marischal College. "An awe-inspiring geometric matrix of mirrored and luminescent sonic monoliths creating paths and connections with other people and environments".

Our Beating Heart by Studio Vertigo at Provost Skene House. "A giant rotating heart designed in the style of a disco mirror-ball significant the many ways a single human existence can have effect on the world around us."

The whole event is inspired by the theme of "connections".

Councillor Martin Greig, from Aberdeen City Council, said: "We are delighted to mark the opening of this year's Spectra, in what promises to be an impressive and illuminating 10th anniversary programme for the festival.

"Over the past decade, Spectra has grown to become one of the cultural highlights in the north east, and we're grateful to all the artists, support staff, and volunteers without whom the festival wouldn't be possible.

"We are looking forward to enjoying all of the delights of this spectacular programme, alongside the many thousands of visitors, from people living in Aberdeen to visitors from further afield, over the coming days."

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