Friday 5th August 2011
Edinburgh's festival season begins
BBC
Edinburgh's festival season has begun with the official opening of the Fringe and the Royal Military Tattoo.
The Edinburgh Fringe is the world's largest arts festival, with 2,542 shows in 258 venues over three weeks.
The Royal Military Tattoo is celebrating its 61st year with the opening of a new purpose-built grandstand on the castle esplanade.
The festival season also includes the Edinburgh International Festival, which begins on 12 August.
The International Festival invites major cultural talent from around the world to perform in the city's larger venues.