Edinburgh Festivals

City leaders pledged to "put people, place and planet first"

It must be a contender for one of Scotland’s most unusual job descriptions – but will see the successful applicant get a starring role in one of the country’s most spectacular events.

The Green Man plays a starring role in Edinburgh’s Beltane Fire Festival with his death and return to life vital “for life on our planet to continue”.

Many people in Edinburgh cherish our status as a World Heritage Site and love the special atmosphere of the festivals. There must be a way to ensure tourists are still welcome but residents are not forced out of the city, writes Christine Jardine.

More than 2.6 million people flocked to Edinburgh’s controversial Christmas market, with the overall attendance up nearly five per cent in the space of 12 months.

Mischief-making and misinformation about Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and other events must not go unanswered, writes Brian Ferguson.

HER laughter is infectious as Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society recalls her first jobs working at KFC, in a kettle making factory and with her sister in the local bookies in the wee village of Kircubbin, County Down.

More than 1000 revellers, many clad in fancy dress, took part in Edinburgh's annual Loony Dook event to herald the start of a new decade.

Edinburgh’s council leader has suggested a major rethink of the city’s Hogmanay celebrations could see it scaled back from its global “bucket list” status - as organisers admitted they were dismayed at the “extraordinary” levels of negativity around the event with the eyes of the world on the city.

Hotel industry chiefs have warned that Edinburgh is at risk of being seen as an "anti-tourist" city around the world due to growing criticism of its Christmas and Hogmanay festivals.