Edinburgh Festivals Diary: The festivals are nearly over and I'm in mourning

It’s two days to the official end of the festivals and I’m already in mourning.

I’m beginning to feel the loss of my little Fringe community bubble in Teviot’s Library Bar, which has been my office for the past month - even though I’m still sitting right here as I type this.

We’ve effectively had an unofficial Scotsman desk in the corner of the bar, where our team writes and edits when we’re not out on jobs (thank you Gilded Balloon bosses Karen and Katy Koren for putting up with us, especially through the early days of the Amanda Knox show controversy, when I’m sure having me and my notebook poised for a quote at any time of the day or night put you off spending time in your own bar).

Being based in the heart of the Fringe, among other journalists and performers, is invaluable for me. Contacts drop in and out, a chance conversation over the coffee machine has the potential to turn into the best story of the festivals. Earlier this week, as we awaited the Edinburgh Comedy Awards nominations announcement, experts started to wander in, ready to have a chat.

Arts correspondent Jane Bradley played the part of a cow. | Scotsman

An unplanned meeting with actor Gail Watson, who was waiting for a late-running broadcaster the day after Dolly Parton’s death, gave us the opportunity to film some video paying tribute to the singer - who Gail is playing in show Doris, Dolly and the Dressing Room Divas. Similarly, plans to film a silly video with local trivia afficionado Goose were made all the better when we randomly nabbed local actor and fellow Library Bar-dweller Ruaraidh Murray to come with us to Assembly’s Club Bar to host the quiz. (Not surprisingly, I lost).

What makes the Fringe - and indeed all of the festivals - special is the sense of community. I hear from performers time after time that there is no place like it in the world. There are more than 300 other Fringe festivals around the world, all inspired by our Fringe and while I’m sure they each have their own particular identity, those who have travelled around other festivals always say their favourite is Edinburgh.

Personally, I’ve had the month of my life, trying to get behind the scenes of the festivals. I’ve made my Fringe debut as an extra in a show at the Bedlam Theatre - dressed as a cow - and wrestled with Japanese sumo stars. I’ve tried acrobatics with the Black Blues Brothers and played the part of Queen Elizabeth with the Afronauts.

The Scotsman's festivals team in Gilded Balloon's Library Bar. | Scotsman

I’ve also covered some thorny news issues from festivals funding from the council’s visitor levy, to story after story about abuse of performers - and even that of one of my colleagues. I’ve interviewed new culture minister Mairi McAllan and investigated issues of freedom of speech at the Fringe. I was the first journalist to publish a story on Amanda Knox’s first stand up show - minutes after it ended - and interviewed hugely impressive US human rights lawyer Bryan Stevenson about the slavery exhibition he transported from Alabama to Edinburgh.

So, it’s farewell from my daily festivals diary for another year. I’ll be back to my usual weekly newsletter from next Tuesday, when I will lift my head briefly from my bed on the first non-festivals focused day in over a month to let you know what else is going on in the Scottish arts world.