Leader: A great place to be, for visitors and residents alike

EXUBERANT, anarchic, free-spirited, refreshing: not words with which Edinburgh is normally associated, but which are fully apt when the Edinburgh Festival Fringe gets into swing.

A total of 21,000 performers, from comedians to cabaret stars, musicians to mime artists, set out their stalls to entertain. To have the opportunity to perform in the capital at all during this period is quite an accolade and an important rite of passage for many performers. Not all the shows may prove worth the money. But every year new gems and new talent are discovered, enriching the pool of artists, producers, impresarios and performers.

For many it is the best of times to be in Scotland's capital. The mood is upbeat and one that prevails through the most challenging circumstance and weather. Some grumble at the crowded streets and pavements, the queues for buses and the displays of surreal oddity. But for the capital it is a hugely rewarding experience. The hotels and guest houses fill up. The bars and restaurants have their busiest period of the year. The population of the capital doubles. Credit cards enjoy a concentrated burst of outings. We hope residents and visitors alike will make the most of this unique and world-famous offering.