"Ethnic print harem pants very much on trend in Edinburgh this fringe," the playwright David Greig reported on Twitter from Edinburgh's front line. "Also man buns, bewildered looks & wheelie suitcases." Presumably the men on stilts and people in face paint were around the next corner.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe and the Edinburgh International Festival both kicked off in earnest this weekend. The latter saw Juliette Binoche and legendary dancer Sylvie Guillem take to the stage. The former prompted the crowds to take to the streets as the Royal Mile filled with performers looking for an audience and passers-by taking in the impromptu shows. Acrobats, musicians and actors were all on hand to bring a flavour of what will be on offer for culture vultures over the next few weeks. Down in the Grassmarket, outside Dance Base you could even watch couples salsa dancing.
Some 2,300 artists from 39 countries will visit the Scottish capital this month to take part in the international festival. That number is topped by The Fringe, which this year hosts 3,314 shows featuring acts from 49 countries.
And things will get even busier in the capital next weekend when the International Book Festival kicks off.
Not that that seems to be putting anyone off. TV presenter Richard Osman, star of Pointless, was among those rushing to the city. "Very excited to be heading up to the Edinburgh Fringe with the kids," he tweeted. "My favourite time of year."
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