Planning a last minute trip arriving Glasgow on August 24th, leaving Sept 1st.
I have never been to the Edinburgh festival. How many days should I spend there? I was planning at least 4 nights, but wonder if I could happily spend all my time there? I am travelling solo. I am considering a side trip before ending up in Edinburgh, probably without a car. Any ideas?

I haven't been to Scotland since 1982 (while in college). Any thoughts will be much appreciated.

Well, the festival in Edinburgh is great, but also terrible. It's so much fun with so much going on, I think (depending on your cultural tastes) that you could definitely spend the whole time there. BUT, it's really crowded, and really expensive. If I were you, I would take a look at the scheduling on the festival website, pick a few events that you like, and then get out of Edinburgh and see the country!
We just got back from a long weekend in Glasgow, and had a lovely time, but it made me realize that Scotland is known for the Highlands for a very good reason! The train from Glasgow to Ft. William is supposed to be the most scenic trip in the world! Even without a car, you should be able to get experience rural Scotland. Don't be afraid of the bus, either!
Good luck!

oh, here is our blog with some pictures from Glasgow. You might find something you enjoy. I particularly liked the School of Art and the House for an Art Lover, both designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Amazing!
www.changehere.wordpress.com

I loved the Edinburgh festival! You might be interested in my trip report:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...o-scotland.cfm

You could probably happily spend all your time there, but if you wanted to see more of Scotland I think four nights woud be enough to get a really good taste of it. And it's possible that one could overdose on the festival in a whole week. It depends how you want to pace yourself. I went to three or four performances a day; it was pretty intoxicating.

Thanks all for the feedback. I like the train to Fort Williams idea. I think I will plan to just spend 4 nights in Edinburgh at the end. Maybe rent a car if it's not too expensive. Will do more homework.

Umm, you might want to find a place to stay before you make too many other plans. It isn't necessarily going to be easy.

The festival, actually a collection of festivals, is fantastic. Four nights is a good start. If you are trying to find accommodation, the weekdays are generally more available and maybe less expensive than weekends.

Thanks. I actually found single rooms with bath in the University halls in Edinburgh for not too much money 59-79GBP/night with breakfast. That's when I decided to visit Edinburgh. I wonder if avoiding the weekend would be less madding.

That's a good deal. Although it is rather crowded during the festivals, it's in no way comparable to a crush at a free rock concert or something. It's very fun and interesting everywhere, and you can move around with comfort. At least that was my experience in 2006. I had no problem finding places to eat or walking down the street.

avoiding the weekends won't make much difference the place will be packed.
i live in Edinburgh and know what its like.
the festival is great fun and so much going on you will find something to suit you just don't try to pack to much in,enjoy strolling about and have fun at a lot of the free events.
Things are a little less manic away from the Royalmile and one of my favourite spots for hanging out is the Pleasance courtyard (if it's not raining).
the univeristy hall are a good choice,there are several about the main one being Pollock halls and all are withing easy walking distance of most of the festival events.
have fun and if you see a short tubby balding bespectacled middle aged Scotsman having fun it just might be me!

I am tending towards Pollock hall which is more expensive but newly renovated it says on the website. I am quite the city girl so the crowds may be enjoyable for me. I will probably make it free and easy and not book tix in advance. Thanks alot for all the replies, very much appreciated.
I wonder if the museums and other sights will be open as usual, I hope so.

just a couple of quick comments now:

• The most scenic parts of that train ride are after Ft William. It is scenic to Ft William - especially across Rannoch Moor) - but the world famous/scenic bits are between Ft William and Mallaig

• You need to nail down your accommodations in Edinburgh ASAP -- like yesterday. Until you have a place to stay, talking about how many/or any days in Edinburgh are premature. The city books solid - and the best budget options are sometimes booked 6 months or a year ahead.

Mostly agreements with what's already been said:

1) Book your Edinburgh University room right now.

2) Four nights in Edinburgh and four nights elsewhere a fine idea. It's not that bad there during festival and it is very much worth going, at least for 4 days.

3) After Edinburgh, a car or not? Either way works?

Didn't mean to put extra question mark. Either way works - with or without car.

Oh, and all the museums and other sights will be open as usual.

Pollock halls are about a 15-20 minute walk from the Royal Mile but there are lots of buses day and night that will get you there in less than 10 minutes,causewayside rooms are a little bit closer and well worth booking,but as other have said get your bookings now!

will do as soon as I get off work!!! thanks.

So I have to decide between Holland house, John Burnett or Chancellors Court. Any ideas? Location would be the most important.
http://www.booking.accom.ed.ac.uk/BnB/Step2.aspx

They are all very close to one another. Holland House is "slightly" very but hardly enough to make a difference.

If location is most important, I would go with whatever is second most important as all three are so close together.

As bardo1 says they are all close together and you would have to go through the say entrance to get to them.The main car entrance is on Holyroad Road behind the Commonwealth pool(this is undergoing a major refirbishment),the main pedestrian entrance is on Dalkeith Road about 50 yards or so from the Bus stop and next door to the Commonwealth pool
http://www.ed.ac.uk/maps
this link will let you see it on a map .