The Edinburgh Fringe Festival was established in 1947 as an alternative to the Edinburgh International Festival. It is the largest arts festival in the entire world and interestingly, many people who perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival also take their work over to Australia and perform at the Adelaide Fringe Festival.

The entire event is organised by the Fringe Festival Society who advise performers, sell tickets, and publish a complete programme of all the shows every year. Their offices and shop are located on the Royal Mile.

Below is a guide which runs through all you need to know about the incredible Edinburgh Fringe Festival.  

What?

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a showcase for all things related to performing arts. It is a fantastic platform for new writers, actors, comedians and more, as it gives them a great opportunity to perform for a willing audience.

A performer at the Edinburgh Fringe

Although it is primarily comedians and theatre productions that are at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, there is no limitation to the type of performing arts shows in attendance. This means that there are also operas, choirs, musicians and many other interesting and unique performances on offer.

As well as the performances inside the venues, if you walk up and down the Royal Mile you will also get to see street artists. Some performances are designed specifically for the street, and these are usually free with a donation of however much or little, as you want.

Many also use the Royal Mile to advertise their show, and some even perform snippets of it on the street. So if you can’t quite decide what you want to see, why not head to the Royal Mile and see what takes your fancy. You can often wangle special offers such as half price tickets if you meet the performers on the street too! 

Where and When?

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is held annually in the month of August. It usually lasts for approximately 25 days, although performers and tourists usually stay for a few days either side of the event.

Practically everywhere in Edinburgh that could possibly house any sort of an audience becomes a venue, from little cafes to restaurants, theatres, churches and pubs. There are a few central areas that get used for the larger performance companies such as George Square and Cowgate.

More performers at the Edinburgh Fringe

Most places within the centre of Edinburgh are within walking distance, which is particularly useful during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This means you can get from one venue to another relatively quickly and squeeze in as many shows as possible.  

Who?

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival does not have a selection committee, which means it is really open to anyone who wants to perform. As a result the performances are greatly varied and people come from across the world to take part. In 2012 there were representatives from 47 different countries performing in the Festival.

Tourists also come from across the world to experience the unique buzz. With so many different shows the Edinburgh Fringe Festival really is a must visit for any performing arts enthusiasts.  

The Free Fringe

As it costs money to put on a show, rent a venue and take part in the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, most shows cost money to go and see, albeit not an extortionate amount.

However, running as part of the Festival is the Free Fringe. This is a great program of shows that are free for anyone to come and see with a voluntary donation at the end if you want.

There are a large amount of shows that take part in the Free Fringe, which is great because it means you could go to the Festival and see shows everyday without paying a penny the entire time!

Conclusion

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is a very exciting event that hosts a huge variety of different performing arts performances. From street theatre to comedians and musicians, if you love the performing arts world then the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is simply a must to visit.

Image Credits: sedoglia and Alastair 2008

Established as a Royal Burgh since the 13 century, Kirkcudbright is a quaint little town on the River Dee. With a thriving artistic community with painters and handcrafters settling here over many centuries, the town has made a name for itself as the Artist’s Town of Scotland.

Over the past 40 years, Kirkcudbright’s Summer Festivities have become a popular annual event that has drawn people from across the country and indeed the world. Starting with an arts and crafts trail in early August, there’s a full programme of activities that will keep visits occupied throughout the summer months.

Arts and crafts trail

The 2012 Arts and Crafts Trail saw the event in its ninth year and grown bigger and better than ever. With 80 venues across Kirkcudbright and over 200 participants contributing artwork and hand-crafted items, the trail began on 28^th July with a silent auction where pieces from a range of artists are put on display for individuals and art collectors to view and place bids above the reserve price. For the duration of the auction, the auction pieces were displayed in the Lesser Hall Meeting Room for visitors to view.

The pretty town of Kirkcudbright opens many doors that would usually be closed to the public during its annual Arts and Crafts trail in August.

Throughout the main weekend of the Arts and Crafts Trail from 2^nd to 6^th August, visitors to Kirkcudbright could enjoy an unrivalled view of the Artist’s Town. Painters, metalworkers, jewellery-makers, potters, toymakers and more across the town open their personal studios, many in their own homes, for visitors to see them in action in their own environment. Throughout the weekend, participants offer visitors the chance to see demonstrations and get hands-on with a number of events.

From the Information Stage located on Harbour Square, arts and crafts enthusiasts are able to find out about events taking place across the weekend in over 60 venues. There’s also the opportunity to see some of the private gardens, workshops and studios around the town from the free “Trail Bus” that ferries visitors from venue to venue.

Exhibitions

Even if you missed the Arts and Crafts Trail, there are plenty of opportunities through the summer to enjoy the creativity of Kirkcudbright’s talented residents. The Harbour Cottage Gallery and Town Hall have exhibitions from local painters throughout the summer, featuring beautiful pieces from artists past and present.

Between 1850 and 1950, the town had its own well-known artists’ colony known as the Kirkcudbright School, who were attracted to the town by the quality of the light. The Town Hall’s “Gifted” exhibition celebrates a number of artists from this school, including several by the late William Brown Kirkpatrick focusing on his fine landscape paintings, many of which are inspired by the scenery around Kirkcudbright.

The Harbour Gallery’s Summer Exhibition features work from contemporary artists from the Kirkcudbright area, many of which are offered for sale. The Gallery’s location on the harbour side is a beautiful setting for a collection of fantastic paintings that will change as patrons choose to take away artworks available for immediate sale.

A Traditional Scottish Tattoo

The month of August ends in Kirkcudbright with a traditional tattoo, featuring Celtic dancers from Scotland and Ireland, wind-bands and bagpipers to lead a traditional troupe.

A traditional Scottish drumming band at Kirkcudbright’s Tattoo.

After a night of band music, dancing and parades, the evening culminates in a fabulous firework display set to music over Kirkcudbright harbour. The event is always popular, so make sure you book your accommodation in plenty of time to ensure you don’t miss this spectacular evening of Scottish culture.

Conclusion

A summer in Scotland might not be the first place many would think of for a scenic and interesting break. However, with a packed programme of events and some fantastic creativity on display, the pretty town of Kirkcudbright’s Summer Festivities offer plenty to keep you interested and inspired.

Image Credits: Wikipedia and Steenbergs.