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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Jon Hebditch

Banana Flats punters belt out Sunshine on Leith in tribute to key workers during coronavirus crisis

Edinburgh's famous Banana Flats became a concert hall as residents took to their balconies to belt out Sunshine on Leith.

The Proclaimers' hit filled the air in the capital tonight to raise spirits amid the Coronavirus crisis.

Organiser Tony MacMartin took to Facebook to invite everyone in the area to sing the iconic tune as a "tribute and big thank you to all hospital, supermarket, transport and care workers and their efforts."

Tony put together a similar event earlier this week which again saw residents of the famed flats singing the song from their windows and balconies.

Tonight the tune was also blasted from passing buses, belted from tenements and sang in the street.

Some videos on Twitter even showed pubs playing out the song on their last night trading for a while to come.

People gather on their balconies at Cables Wynd House, better known as the Leith Banana Flats, to belt out Sunshine on Leith (www.facebook.com/BoroughLeith/)

And Tony said that he believes the idea will prove a hit in other areas of Scotland - with locals getting the chance to vote on which songs to sing.

Hazel Aldie tweeted: "Pub at the end of my street blasting out Sunshine On Leith as they close tonight. Everyone came out on their balcony and cheered and clapped for them."

In Italy, which is the worst-hit country in the pandemic, footage recently emerged of hundreds singing Nessun Dorma and Ave Maria to each other from their balconies with others sharing online as a message of hope and solidarity during the COVID-19 lockdown.

Tony also wants to lift spirits in Scotland and his statement ahead of the event read: "Let's get Sunshine On Leith blasting from every window and balcony in every street, stair and tenement.

"A tribute and big thank you to all hospital, supermarket, transport and care workers and their efforts.

"Followed by safe street and stair meetings to organise committees to help our elderly and vulnerable neighbours.

"A group on every street and in every stair.

"We can do this!"

The Proclaimers' smash hit certainly helped put Leith on the map and this week it was also crowned the best place to live in Scotland.

Edinburgh's former port district has topped the prestigious country-wide list, according to the The Sunday Times Best Places to Live guide.

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