The Royal Mile during the Fringe Festival turns into a delightful melting pot as thousands of people from all over the world descend on the city streets.

However, it is still possible to find a quiet, peaceful setting at Arthur's Seat, the high point of the extinct volcano Edinburgh is set upon.

Buskers, or street entertainers as we know them in America, fill the city when the festival begins. Some are exhibiting  parts of their shows to entice passersby to come to the real shows and some are just there to pick up a few pennies while experiencing the magic of the Fringe.

"The festivals! What a great time of year to be here!" 

In class, the students learn about the great Scottish works by reading and discussing the pieces together, as well with the help of guest speakers like Stewart Conn, the Makar (aka Poet Laureate) of Edinburgh.

Other guests included Robert Beveridge, Bill Ritchie, and Stuart McHardy. Students also heard Dilys Rose, Ron Butlin, Valerie Gillies, Tom Leonard, and Aonghas MacNeacail read at the national library and the book festival. 

In the afternoon/evening, the class may attend Fringe Festival shows in venues all over the city.  GoGo, the Boy with the Magic Feet, a walking play with an African and Scottish cast, took place in the beautiful Royal Botanic Garden.

Walking around the auld streets of Edinburgh, one often comes across such hidden nuggets as The World's End Pub, the old limit of Edinburgh's city gates, or the gravesite of poet Robert Fergusson, with a monument paid for by Robert Burns and restored with funds from Robert Louis Stevenson.  

And, of course, hiking Arthur's Seat offers both an exhilarating climb and view at the top.

A pub near the University that doubles as a Fringe Festival Venue.

 Edinburgh features several Internet cafés, usually around £1 per half hour.

The New and the Auld of Edinburgh.

The Water of Leith

An entertainer performs his tricks in the courtyard of St. Giles Cathedral.

The entrance to the Edinburgh Castle.