Scotland

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe, a blowback against the Edinburgh International Festival (an invitation only performing arts fest) in Edinburgh, Scotland is the planet’s largest arts festival. Commonly called simply “The Fringe”, it runs the last three weeks of August each year. Unlike its more stuffy counterpart, The Fringe is open access meaning anyone with a free spirit and a desire to perform is welcome to come and show off their stuff. And this means that year to year (and even venue to venue) you’ll never know what to expect next. Some of the different expositions in the past have included comedy troupes, musical performances, unique recreations of classic plays, and children’s shows. But turn the corner and you are just as likely to see a wacky performance artist dancing an off the wall jig as you are to see a disjointed theatre act from a public toilet (one of the 2003 festival’s highlights). In fact, with over 250 venues as diverse as school yards, pubs, and cathedrals each event is as unique and entertaining as the last.

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With their roots planted firmly in the Middle Ages, the Highland Games in Scotland are a celebration of Scottish history, culture, athleticism, and art. Originally intended as a county fair of sorts, it was an opportunity for the various clansmen, and of course the chiefs, to show off their physical prowess to impress each other and the many ladies who came to watch the activities. Frivolity and merriment follow the festival goers as they walk from one event to the next waiting to see who would be the winner of the next competition. Highland Games are held throughout the year, often sponsored by the different clans and named in their honor. Thought the main draw are the myriad athletic challenges, there is also music, food, dancing, and more to entertain young and old.

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