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The Edinburgh Festival
The last few days of July each year are precious days for Edinburgh residents. Those who live in Edinburgh know that their world is about to
be invaded by culture vultures and international travellers of every description. The last days before the invasion are savoured. Those working
in catering and hospitality know that they wont be having too many quiet moments over the next four weeks. Because of this, It’s a great time
for travellers to pick up some work too.
Very early in August, the onslaught of international festivals begins. Explore The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, The Edinburgh International Arts
Festival, The Edinburgh International Film Festival, The Edinburgh International Book Festival, The Edinburgh International Jazz and Blues
Festival and perhaps most popular, The Annual Edinburgh Fringe Festival. All offer something different and you would have to be someone
very hard to please if you couldn't find something to wet your appetite.
Edinburgh has always been a festival town. Indeed the multitude of festivals, which now occur in August, used to be spread over the entire
year. Not long after the Second World War, the idea for the first fringe festival was born. The idea was to bring artists from all over Europe
together to celebrate their various art forms.
Year after year the fringe grew larger and larger, and eventually into the huge international event it is now. So popular did the fringe become,
and such was the impact it had on Edinburgh, it was decided to draw all the festivals into one long month of activity. It really has become a
celebration of life.
The Fringe Festival, exhibits aspects of alternative entertainment, most noteably comedy. Whereas the International Festival, tends more
towards the mainstream classics of music, drama, and the arts. The Military Tattoo, is a must for anyone who has never seen it before. While
the Book, Film, and various music festivals live up to their names.
The beauty of all of these festivals is that they are still well within the budget of everyday people. Tickets for most shows are readily available
as late as on the day and very rarely will you pay more than £10 to see any performance. There is also a vast amount of free shows taking
place every day along The Royal Mile. As an inside tip, if you go to a venue called 'The Pleasance' and have a drink in the beer garden during
the day, promoters will often give away free tickets for shows that evening.
Even if you aren’t particularly interested in the vast array of entertainment that Edinburgh offers in August, it is still a very lively and happening
time to visit Scotland’s capital. The city takes on a truly international feel and locals and visitors exist and happily intermingle.
The only downside to visiting Edinburgh in August is that it is both expensive and difficult to organise accommodation. If you are planning to
visit, sort your accommodation early as it is not uncommon for the entire city to be sold out during this period.
The accommodation hassle is a small price to pay for an amazing experience in Edinburgh. If you're doing a long term backpacking trip, get to
Edinburgh in July and plan to work through the festival. It's a fantastic way to immerse yourself in festival life.
By: John Peacock
September 2000
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