Feel the Rush in August

Travel | October 4, 2010 | Share

If you are planning to visit Edinburgh in August you have to make sure that your travel arrangements and accommodation is planned well in advance. August is indeed the best month to be in this Scottish paradise as festivities take on a whole new meaning. The month is bustling with activity and the streets turn into centre stage for performers of different kinds from all over the world. It is the best place to be if you love art and culture and want to be a part of a melting pot of theatre, art and culture from different corners of the globe.

A number of festivals take place in Edinburgh during August and if you plan your trip well you could be a part of more than just a few. The most popular festivals have been outlined below, so take your pick and start planning your trip at the earliest.

The Edinburgh Military Tatoo: This celebration kicks off the season of festivities. It is characterized by a dramatic show of acrobats, military marching bands, drums, motorcyclists displaying their passion, and drums all taking place against the opulent backdrop of the castle. The festivities end with a long piper playing to magical lighting that bring forth the grief of the battlements.

The Edinburgh International Festival: This month long festival was established in 1947, as a tribute to the peace that was returned after World War II. In fact this is one of the oldest festivals in the world that is celebrated with a lot of fan fare in Edinburgh, it is also one of the biggest and most famous festivals participated in by people from all over the world.

Itâ€™s origins were fairly modest, however over the last five decades the proportions have grown to accommodate musicians, theatres artists and dancers from different genres across the globe.

The atmosphere is electric and not a single person on the streets can escape the excitement. While stilt walkers make their way through the crowds, fire jugglers toss fire and passion into the air with absolute nonchalance. Entertainment for all is present in this amazing city and sometimes you may not even have to pay anything to watch the best performance as bands sprawl across streets just to keep the ambience magnificent and delight every passer by.

The Edinburgh Fringe Festival: This festival is actually an off shoot of the original International festival. Legend has it that eight theatre companies that did not make it to the International Festival decided to create their own mini festival â€“ and that gave birth to the Fringe.

Over the last two decades the Fringe Festival has become the most popular festival for performing artists from all over the world. Stand up comedians, musicians and theatre artists throng to this amazing city to showcase their talent and participate in the festivities.

Edinburgh is not just famous for the festivals it hosts but also for the scenic beauty that is known to inspire people from different walks of life with a love for the performing arts. The atmosphere is indeed magical and will drive inspiration into your very soul if you manage to make it for any of the events that mark the brilliance that is Edinburgh.

Rahul Verma