janisj

That covered section is the Royal Box.

Dukey1

yes, Janis, I know that having inhabited it in the past. And you know what? That cold and rain did not discriminate in the least.

janisj

I don't know -- when I sat there it wasn't cold at all, especially with the lap rugs. Of course it wasn't raining just cold. But how long ago did you attend? Since they installed the new seating from the Olympic Stadium it really is much warmer because the wind doesn't whip through the back of the bleachers (anywhere in the arena) like the old seats.

Kristina

We attended the Tattoo last night and it was spectacular. We were blessed with decent weather (cold, but thankfully no rain). Our seats in section 2, mid way up (row U on the aisle) were absolutely fine for seeing everything. My husband was so thrilled with the whole thing, he was like a kid at Christmas! There was not one empty seat in the venue. I'm so glad I bought the tickets when I did.

Thanks to all who replied to my questions on this thread when I bought the tickets back in December.

As for the festivals, Fringe and otherwise, we have not had the time to attend any events. The crowds, especially on the Royal Mile, are HUGE. Personally, I would not choose to visit during this time again, unless I were REALLY interested in the Festival events (I'm not). That said, being here was worth it anyway (great city!) and we loved the Tattoo!

Off this morning toward Callander.

janisj

Glad you enjoyed it. The Tattoo is one of my favorite events anywhere.

The crowds on the Royal Mile really are amazing aren't they? Last year I stayed in a flat overlooking the RM near the top and the people watching and free entertainment was worth the price of admission. Had a flamenco guitarist under my bedroom window most evenings.

Gordon_R

<i>Last year I stayed in a flat overlooking the RM near the top and the people watching and free entertainment was worth the price of admission. Had a flamenco guitarist under my bedroom window most evenings.</i>

The fringe is great for tourists and brings in a lot of revenue to the city, but it is a pain in the backside for many local people who live in the centre, due to the crowds and noise. Just this week it was reported that the police are launching a crackdown on antisocial buskers:
http://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.co...down-1-4529411

dotheboyshall

<i>Last year I stayed in a flat overlooking the RM near the top and the people watching and free entertainment was worth the price of admission. Had a flamenco guitarist under my bedroom window most evenings.</i>

It's when the flamenco guitarist is playing at 3:00am...

Dukey1

Actually, Kristina there were TWO empty seats "in the venue" last night: OURS since we were unable to attend with luggage lost by British Airways but glad you enjoyed it nonetheless.

dotheboyshall

Is there a dress code now for the Tattoo?

janisj

Dotheboyshall: wasn't a problem at all. All ( or almost all anyway) of the acts at least along 'my' portion of the mile had official spots and performance shifts. No one played past 11PM (it may have actually been 10PM - I'm not sure now). They must really police the situation because all the entertainers stopped at exatcly the same time.

Gordon - oh I COMPLETELY understand. The change in the crowds / buskers between the 90's when I went several times, and the last few years is amazing. Central Edinburgh is really not big enough for the event any more. It is almost like mardi gras in NO, except it lasts a whole month. Just crazy.

Kristina

Dukey-
Oh no!! That's awful that you missed it AND that your luggage was lost. Wondering, why did the loss of luggage keep you from going and was it ever returned?

Macross

Krisitina, in his trip report he said all their warm clothing was in the lost suitcase.

nanabee

janisj - DH and I attended the Tattoo 14 years ago and we both don't recall any Fringe event. Iwonder how could we have missed it?

Wow Dukey that is terrible. Sorry to hear.

Barbara

nanabee, there are Fringe performers up and down the Royal Mile. They are not part of the Tattoo.

janisj

Nanabee: the fringe is a totally different event(s) - sort of like going to an NBA game in New Orleans and not noticing mardi gras was going on. Sorta hard to miss . . . They just aren't IN the arena.

Gyhtson

The Fringe grew out of the Edinburgh International Festival (arts) but is now way bigger than its parent and is, on its own, the biggest arts festival in the world - add in the EIF and the Book Festival and the Tattoo and you'll understand why Edinburgh is so packed in August.

Hundreds of pubs and hotels and university rooms become comedy, theatre and music venues for the month. The Royal Mile is only a tiny bit of the madness - that's where acts "flyer" people and try to entice them to their shows, and where you'll see buskers and fire eaters etc. But the real Fringe is happening in rooms all over the city where aspiring - and big name - comedians & theatre people spend thousands of their own money in the hope of getting recognition and critical acclaim.

RM67

I'm glad you posted Gyhtson - the beauty of fringe is the diversity of the acts and their locations and is certainly not limited to bagpipes or living statues on the Royal Mile. I think if more people realised they could take part in Fringe without ever having to go near the RM we'd see a lot less posts about the city being a choked impassable nightmare in August. We saw shows in rooms above pubs, in attics and basements. Mr M when attending on his own even ended up in someone's front room for cocktails!