July 24 in Edinburgh

Just like that we are into July 2024! July is one of the busiest months here in Edinburgh. July brings with it the sun, the parties, the hill walks, the outdoor adventures and much more! We have a few things going on this month, our guide Sam is undertaking “The One Million Step Challenge” which will help raise funds for Diabetes UK. We also had Steve recently raising money for Scottish Mountain Rescue by aiming to travel 143 miles by bike in one month. These events are keeping some of our guides extra busy in what is already a busy month showing off our wonderful Edinburgh. Although, you never want to wish away the summer, July leaves us just one month out from The Fringe Festival and The Royal Military Tattoo. It also leaves us one month out from The First Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces in Society which we have partnered up with Edinburgh Napier University to support.

We were very kindly asked by Edinburgh Napier University to support their conference which is being hosted by Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement The conference is titled "Identity, Purpose and Belonging: The First Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces in Society". The conference takes place at the tail end of The Fringe Festival and is set to be a combination of seminars, workshops and public events. The Centre is currently the only research, education, public engagement, and practice unit in Scotland dedicated to the armed forces. It is a military research Centre based in a recognised Gold Covenant University working with key military stakeholders across Scotland, the UK and internationally through various networks related to armed forces transition, mental health, and wellbeing. When we had the opportunity to support this we absolutely had to get involved given the rich culture and history of Scotland's military. Now, we look forward to the conference which takes place August 22 - Aug 28.

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Before the conference takes place however, we have the joy of experiencing Edinburgh’s renowned Fringe Festival, which takes place over three weeks in August (2nd - 26th). The Fringe Festival is great as it offers a chance to experience an extraordinary array of creative arts from around the world. Artists and performers of all kinds take to hundreds of stages across the city, presenting shows that cater to every taste. During the Fringe, venues spring up all over Edinburgh, transforming spaces such as theaters, bars, parks, tents, and even shipping containers into stages ready for performances of all shapes and sizes. The festival brings an explosion of color, excitement, and vibrancy to the city, reimagining Edinburgh into a dazzling celebration of art.

As well as The Fringe Festival we also have The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is an unparalleled experience, bringing together the best of the British military with international dance, music, and more. This iconic event is set against the stunning backdrop of Edinburgh Castle and features nearly 1,000 performers throughout its run. With a history spanning over 70 years, The Tattoo began as small shows in Princes Street Gardens and the Castle Esplanade. The event's origins trace back to an invitation from The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, who asked the General Officer Commanding the Army to create a military show to coincide with the Edinburgh International Festival. These early performances quickly gained popularity, evolving into the internationally renowned show that today attracts over 220,000 live spectators each year.

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I mentioned at the start Sam and Steve’s current challenges to raise funds for causes close to them. Sam is taking on “The One Million Step Challenge” in a bid to raise funds for Diabetes UK. Sam has her own page for the challenge here. - you can follow Sam’s journey and support her on this page and I’m sure she will be streaming a lot of the steps gained over on YouTube. Steve also recently raised funds for Scottish Mountain Rescue. Steve had the challenge of traveling 143 miles in one month by any way of outdoor travel (swim, run, bike, kayak etc). This is a cause that is very close to us all. We lost a friend to the mountains three years ago. Mountain rescue had searched for him but sadly not all rescues are successful. He was returned to his family with dignity and compassion. Although without this organisation many more would possibly be lost. Steve set a goal of £143 for the 143 miles but managed to raise far more than this goal. You can read more about Steve’s challenge and support the cause here.

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After this July update, I am sure you can imagine Edinburgh Tour Guides is busy preparing to welcome visitors to Scotland whether they are here for Edinburgh Napier’s Conference, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival or The Royal Military Tattoo, we look forward to being able to welcome you to our amazing city and showing you some of our favourite locations.

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