Frolicks at the Fringe

If anyone had told me that out of anywhere in the world I would be desperate to be going to Scotland this summer I would say you were crazy!

Don't get me wrong, it is the most beautiful country with the most beautiful people. But as with most parts of the UK the weather isn't the greatest. I am no sun worshipper but trying to holiday in the rain is not the easiest or most pleasant.

But when you say Edinburgh and Fringe Festival it all suddenly makes sense.

I went to the start of the Festival this year. It was my first visit to the festival and the city. I had high expectations for both, but happily both exceeded my expectations!

There is a real carnival atmosphere at the Fringe. Visitors are excited about what they can see and the acts are friendly and helpful as they try to lure you to one of the two thousand shows, five hundred of which are free. Street performers keep you entertained throughout the day as you wander around trying to work out exactly what to go and watch.

We were staying at a really cheap hostel just off the Royal Mile. Cheap as in good breakfast for £4.50 and vodka and coke for £2.00!!!!! Living in London, where we are ruthlessly charge sometimes up to £8 for a spirit and mixer I nearly died with shock. There was a real nice atmosphere at the hostel a nice big bar/hang out area and the rooms were just as nice as a premium hotel - and better than some as the shower was amazing! It worked out £30 each as there were three of us sharing a private room with en-suite which we thought was pretty reasonable. I highly recommend  Smart City Hostels if you are thinking of going.

We were only there for two days and with our trusty IPhone app we soon found our way round and managed to see 7 really good acts and one completely crap one! But even the crap one was an experience and we did not feel bad  for walking out (we had sat through nearly 40 cringe worthy minutes) as that is what the Fringe is all about. Acts trying to make it, some do, some don't but at least they are out there doing what they want!

The other great plus for the festival is Edinburgh which I loved. The city has a real Gothic look, with great architecture, loads of history (which I love) and a real identity. All wound around the castle rock where Edinburgh Castle sits. You can definitely see the inspiration for Harry Potter, which JK Rowling wrote in the city.

The important bit of eating and drinking, and we were again in no way disappointed. The bars and restaurants were full of character and really relaxed. One place we went to felt like the cellar of an old house (which it probably was) but every time we went down a level something else was going on - another act, another bar, even weirdly a beer garden/deck area appeared. We must have gone down about 5 stone staircases before we settled on a small bar and crashed out on some sofas (It was about 3am by then) but shows were still starting and there was just such a great atmosphere. I can't remember the name as we kind of fell into it, (inebriated I have to admit).

One place I can remember is Espionage where we saw a few acts. We kept trying to leave as we wanted to have some food but the next act looked good and we were sat at the bar; before we knew it half an hour turned into three! That is one of the best things about there being so much on, we did not have to worry about watching the whole thing or getting somewhere for a particular time, there was always something else on we could go to!

Radio 1 and E4 are there this year, but the fringe still feels like a home grown festival, with some acts even playing in someones front room. It did not feel commercialised and I hope it does not go that way. Obviously this was my first visit so that is all I am basing it on, so it could have already changed.

I will definitely be going next year and will hopefully visit the city at some point before that as well!

A few pics below of the visit - I did mean to take more, but we were having too much fun!

I highly recommend both to anyone!