THE boss of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe has signalled there will be heightened security surrounding the world's largest arts celebration in the wake of terror attacks across Europe.
In her debut year as chief executive, Shona McCarthy said a "serious incidents management plan" was in place to help protect the thousands of performers and revellers expected to flood the Capital for its annual showcase.
READ MORE: Angus Deayton on Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland and returning to the Fringe
Festival staff have also taken anti-terrorism training while Ms McCarthy said organisers are doing "absolutely everything" possible to ensure it is safe.
Police Scotland said an "appropriate police presence" will be in place for the duration of the festival period.
Ms McCarthy, who previous oversaw Derry-Londonderry's year as UK City of Culture, has also said she is determined to ensure Brexit does not generate "negative ramifications" for the annual festival of drama, music, comedy, dance and circus.
READ MORE: Angus Deayton on Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland and returning to the Fringe
"It is matter of course and good practice that whenever you are putting on a major event, or you have a role in the co-ordination of a major event that is going to bring vast members of the public in one place, then you are going to be looking at all the possibilities, all the scenario planning, you are going to have your serious incidents management plan, all of that, in place," she said.
"It would be ridiculous of me to say that we are not mindful of what is going on in the world right now.
READ MORE: Angus Deayton on Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland and returning to the Fringe
"And I understand there is no specific threat to Scotland or to Edinburgh, but we are doing absolutely everything - as you would in any year, but particularly given the global climate - we look at everything we take in all of that wider context, and all of our event planning takes in all elements of risk."
A spokeswoman for the Fringe added: "Every year the Fringe Society consults with the City of Edinburgh Council, Ambulance and Fire Services, Police Scotland and Counter Terrorism Security Advisors to ensure our Event Plan in relation to the Fringe Street Events on the High Street and the Mound are both current and robust including emergency protocol.
"A number of staff also undertake annual training in counter terrorism attending ARGUS and GRIFFIN [counter terrorism training] events."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Whenever the planning for a major event takes place across the country, Police Scotland considers a number of security factors and deploys resources accordingly based on the information at hand.
READ MORE: Angus Deayton on Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland and returning to the Fringe
"While we do not comment on security arrangements for specific events, the public can rest assured that an appropriate police presence will be in place for the duration of the Edinburgh Festival."
Ms McCarthy said that among her chief concerns was that the Fringe should not be viewed differently following Britain's decision to leave the EU.
She said: "There is an absolute collective, collegiate effort on behalf of all the festivals that we have to do everything in our power - exactly in the same way that the inspiration for the setting up of the International Festival in the first place was beginning people together through culture - [to say] that is the opportunity that we have always offered and will offer even more vociferously.
READ MORE: Angus Deayton on Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland and returning to the Fringe
"We will be redoubling our efforts, that there are no barriers, that the Fringe is absolutely seen around the world as place where people can come and perform," she said. "That it is open, and will remain so, and we will really use the 70th anniversary next year to promote that message."
Ms McCarthy added: "Our sole priority to make the open access principle of the Fringe, so whatever that entails, whatever practical challenges arise out of that, we will absolutely looking to address those.
"So we will work with the UK Borders agency, with the FCO [Foreign Office], with the British Council, with cultural embassies around the world, and do everything in our power that there are not negative ramifications for this incredible cultural meeting place."
Ms McCarthy said that despite many pressures on her time she would be going to see as many shows as she could during the festival.
She said: "There's a real sense of anticipation, it's like Christmas Eve. And we are in good shape, we have done all the preparatory work and we are ready to rock."
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