Things to do on Holiday in Edinburgh

The city of Edinburgh is a very beautiful and exciting place to visit at any time of year, but if you want to get a real feel of Scottish culture, hospitality and history, then visiting Edinburgh during August is the perfect time to get the best experience of this stunning city.

In August, as many people know, a number of performances, celebrations and events happen all over Edinburgh, and they are very loosely referred to as 'The Edinburgh Festival'. However, the truth is that there is no one Edinburgh Festival, because so many things happen at once, but the most famous festival of them all is probably the Edinburgh Fringe, which runs for three weeks, and showcases talent from all over the world. Comprised of comedy, dance, physical theatre, musicals and drama, this world-renowned festival has been the place where many of today's most famous actors and comedians got their first break, including the comedian and actor, Eddie Izzard.

Another famous event that takes place during August in Edinburgh is the Book Festival, which has attracted a number of famous names and authors over the years, such as Philip Pullman and Val McDermid. This festival is based in the new town area of Edinburgh, in Charlotte Square Gardens, and is very close to the city's main shopping areas, Princes Street and George Street. Entry to the gardens is free, so it's very easy to wander in and have a look around, but some events are ticketed, so bear that in mind when you go in.

If books and theatre aren't for you, then another annual show that visitors and locals alike enjoy the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, which runs alongside the Fringe, and was first staged in 1950, with just eight items on the programme. Today, over 40 countries have taken part in the Tattoo, and tickets to this event are some of the most sought-after during the festival, with over 12 million people having viewed the tattoo live in Edinburgh since it began, and a further 100 million watching it on television. Tickets to the Tattoo sell out very quickly, but the Tattoo office does sell returned tickets every morning of the Tattoo, so if you really want a ticket, then you must go there. However, the queue for returns can be very long, so make sure that you get there early to avoid disappointment.

These are just a few suggestions for things to do on a holiday in Edinburgh in August, but before you book tickets to the shows of your choice, make sure that you arrange your accommodation well in advance, because the demand for hotel rooms in August will be very high. There are hundreds of hotels in Edinburgh, so it's vital that you book the right one for you, so if you're looking for an upmarket hotel in the city, try typing for luxury hotels Edinburgh in a search engine, and you'll be one step closer to booking your holiday in the UK's 'festival city'.