Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
June
Scottish Real Ale Festival
(
www.scottishbeerfestival.org.uk
)
A celebration of all things fermented and yeasty, Scot-
land's biggest beer-fest gives you the opportunity to sample a wide range of traditionally
brewed beers from Scotland and around the world. Froth-topped bliss. The festival is held
over a weekend in June.
FOOD & DRINK FESTIVAL
Royal Highland Show
(
www.royalhighlandshow.org
; Royal Highland Centre)
Scotland's hugely popular nation-
al agricultural show is a four-day feast of all things rural, with everything from
showjumping and tractor driving to sheep shearing and falconry. Countless pens are filled
with coiffed show cattle and pedicured prize ewes. The show is held over a long weekend
(Thursday to Sunday) in late June.
AGRICULTURE SHOW
Edinburgh International Film Festival
(
www.edfilmfest.org.uk
)
One of the original Edinburgh Festival trinity, having first been
staged in 1947 along with the International Festival and the Fringe, the two-week film
festival is a major international event, serving as a showcase for new British and European
films, and staging the European premieres of one or two Hollywood blockbusters.
FILM FESTIVAL
July
Edinburgh International Jazz & Blues Festival
(
www.edinburghjazzfestival.com
)
Held annually since 1978, the Jazz & Blues Festival
pulls in top talent from all over the world. The festival runs for nine days, beginning on a
Friday, a week before the Fringe and Tattoo begin. The first weekend sees a Mardi
Gras-style festival in the Grassmarket on Saturday, and a Sunday carnival on Princes St
and Princes Street Gardens, with an afternoon of free, open-air music. On the Sunday
there's a series of free concerts at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
August
See the boxed text, for details of August's festivals.
