Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Udderbelly
Bristo Square, Southside
T
0844 545
8252,
W
underbelly.co.uk
. Underbelly's giant, inflatable
upside-down cow - the Udderbelly - is a makeshift
performance space that is one of the Fringe's most unusual
and eye-catching venues. The company provides further
shows down in their oppressive Cowgate building.
Highlights include the nightly Jam Sessions and a colourful
New Orleans-style Mardi Gras and street parade.
Tickets
range in price from £5 for small pub gigs to £20 for a seat in
a big venue.
1
EDINBURGH ART FESTIVAL
Edinburgh Art Festival
W
edinburghartfestival.com;
W
nationalgalleries.org/tickets
. A relative newcomer on
the scene, August's Edinburgh Art Festival
has quickly
established itself as an important addition to the festivals
portfolio. This is due, in large part, to the ambition and
diversity of its programme, which has included high-profile
exhibitions by internationally renowned contemporary
artists such as Tracey Emin, Douglas Gordon and Ron Mueck
as well as retrospectives of work by pioneering twentieth-
century artists including sculptor Eva Hesse, photographer
Robert Mapplethorpe, pop artists Gilbert and George and
elder statesmen of Scottish painting Alan Davie and John
Bellany. Virtually every art gallery in the city participates in
the festival, from small private concerns to blockbuster
shows at the National Galleries of Scotland's five venues.
Most exhibitions are free, though entry to the National
Galleries' exhibitions costs £7-10.
EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL
BOOK FESTIVAL
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Ticket
office at Charlotte Square, New Town
T
0845 373
5888,
W
edbookfest.co.uk.
The world's largest
celebration of the written word is held in a tented village
in Charlotte Square during the last two weeks of Aug. It
offers talks, readings and signings by a star-studded
line-up of visiting authors, as well as panel discussions
and workshops. Well-known Scottish authors such as Ian
Rankin and Alexander McCall-Smith are good for an
appearance most years, while visitors from further afield
have included Doris Lessing, Louis de Bernières, Vikram
Seth, Joyce Carol Oates and Salman Rushdie. In addition,
there's a dedicated programme of children's activities,
debates, writing workshops and book-related events, an
on-site café and, of course, a bookshop. Tickets
(generally £10-15) often sell out quickly, particularly
for the big-name events.
THE MILITARY TATTOO
The Military Tattoo
Tattoo O
ce 32 Market St, Old
Town
T
0131 225 1188,
W
edintattoo.co.uk.
Staged in
the spectacular stadium of the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade,
the Military Tattoo is an unashamed display of pomp and
military pride. The programme of choreographed drills,
massed pipe bands, historical tableaux, energetic battle
re-enactments, national dancing and pyrotechnics has
been a feature of the Festival for over half a century, its
emotional climax provided by a lone piper on the Castle
battlements. Followed by a quick fireworks display, it's a
successful formula barely tampered with over the years.
Tickets (£24-58 depending on seat location, plus a £5
booking fee if bought online) need to be booked well in
advance, and it's advisable to take a cushion and rainwear.
EDINBURGH JAZZ AND BLUES FESTIVAL
The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival
Ticket o
ce
at The Hub, 348 Castlehill, Old Town
T
0131 473 2000,
W
edinburghjazzfestival.com.
The Edinburgh Jazz and
Blues Festival runs immediately prior to the Fringe in the
first week in Aug, easing the city into the festival spirit with
a full programme of gigs in many different locations.
Scotland's own varied and vibrant jazz scene is always fully
represented, and atmospheric late-night clubs complement
major concerts given by international stars. Past visitors
have included B.B. King, Bill Wyman, Dizzy Gillespie, Dave
Brubeck, Van Morrison, Carol Kidd, and The Blues Band.
EDINBURGH'S OTHER FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Science Festival
April
T
0131 558 7666,
W
science
festival.co.uk.
Incorporates hands-on children's events as
well as numerous lectures on a vast array of subjects.
Beltane
Night of April 30
W
beltane.org.
An ancient
Celtic fire festival, held on Calton Hill, celebrating the
arrival of spring. Has a New-Age feel to it, with lots of
painted flesh, beating drums and huge bonfires. Tickets
cost £6.
Children's Festival
Mid-May
T
0131 225 8050,
W
imaginate.org.uk.
Readings, magicians, specialist
children's drama and puppetry.
International Film Festival
Second half of June
W
edfilmfest.org.uk.
With a programme crammed with
premieres, film shorts and retrospectives, this is the perfect
Hollywood antidote. That said, you still see the occasional
film star getting the red carpet treatment outside the
festival's main hub at The Filmhouse on Lothian Rd.
Christmas
Dec
W
edinburghschristmas.com.
Draws
together various seasonal events, most prominently the
installation of a huge ferris wheel beside the Scott
Monument and an outdoor skating rink nearby.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay
The Festival Fringe O
ce 180
High St
T
0844 573 8455
W
edinburghshogmanay.org.
One of the world's largest New Year street parties, involving
torchlight processions, folk and rock concerts and fireworks
galore (see box, p.98).
Box o
ce opens Dec 3.
