Cullen Skink Anyone?

The festival, with it’s thousands of shows can be overwhelming for the uninitiated, but after grabbing a free book listing events and stopping in a pub for a pint to confer we decided to head to the ticket office to get entry to a couple of events.  Being easily distracted I was constantly being sidetracked by the ongoing free street events that were taking place but my companions kept me going and I eventually ended up in a rather lengthy queue to secure tickets.  Although I am generally a rather reserved person by nature I do at times enjoy

Wet and Soggy in Edinburgh

Some of the sights to see on the Royal

I decided to take the kids to Edinburgh to partake in the famous Fringe festival for a couple of days. If you ever make it to Scotland in August be sure to make this world famous festival one of your stops!  This is an amazing three-week event, which takes place each August with over 50,459 performances of 3,314 shows in 313 venues across Edinburgh (August 2015).  The venues are located throughout the city with shows taking place on an ongoing basis. The Royal Mile is packed with visitors from all over the world and the atmosphere is something I have never experienced elsewhere. Unbeknownst to me, our two-day visit to this iconic city would take place during this heightened tourist event but would also coincide with the world re-known Scottish Tattoo.  For those travellers who enjoy the crowds and mayhem of such an event this is excitement itself but to the unprepared and uninitiated, it can be an overwhelming and stress-inducing nightmare!

Castle Rock Hostel

Our claustrophobic room.

Upon exiting Haymarket train station our group headed onto the packed streets of Edinburgh. Luckily, Shelby, who has an uncanny sense of direction and an amazing memory for places she has visited, we headed off to our abode for the night. Shelby had stayed at the Castle Rock Hostel the previous summer and upon her recommendation I had booked it for our overnight. This hostel is at the foot of the famous castle and the interior, with its winding staircases and middle age décor makes the guest feel like they are staying in a medieval castle. Like all hostels the guests can book dorm rooms or semi private rooms with shared baths. I had booked a semi private room with two bunks to accommodate