The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is a mighty thing. But in the midst of the crowds, the flyers and the noise - sometimes you just need to take a deep breath.
For most of the last two decades, a little town just 20 miles from the capital has offered that opportunity. Fringe by the Sea in North Berwick initially began as a spin-off of the Edinburgh festivals, and now it's a full-blown festival in its own right, with almost 300 events getting underway a week ahead of the Edinburgh bonanza.
“Small is beautiful,” says the festival's director Rory Steel.
“And we still see ourselves as a small festival who're able to identify the sort of things that will resonate with audiences in North Berwick.
“Whether that's working with artists like Erland Cooper, who's composed a piece of music which is inspired by the Bass Rock, or the community growing wild flowers in their gardens which they are arranging on the festival site.
“It's that kind of community involvement which makes this festival so special.”
Orcadian composer Erland Cooper has created the festival's first music commission - Sula Bassana - which celebrates the gannet population and is dedicated to their custodian Maggie Sheddan.
Combined with a “nest-like structure” created by artist Naomi McIntosh, it offers a gentle haven in the town's Lodge grounds.
It's more lively down in the harbour - the site of the original festival - where scores of children are also celebrating the birdlife with handmade puppets and masks.
Puppeteers from Vision Mechanics led the flock through the town to the festival site with their own giant bird puppets. This is part of the festival's new Love of Life programme, which celebrates the relationship people form with nature through art, music and creativity.
Performers in the Big Top tent this year include Rianne Downey and Blur's Alex James Britpop Classical. But there's plenty of local talent to call on. Bay City Rollers, who grew up nearby, are on the bill this year, as is comedian Emma Corbett.
Emma first came to the area when she was just 13 years old - because of her dad, the veteran comic Ronnie Corbett.
“Dad bought a home here and I hated it. I felt like I was in the middle of nowhere but when I had children that changed. I learned to love it.”
She's been a volunteer behind the scenes at the festival since its early days but three years ago, she took to the stage as a stand-up comic.
“Sitting next to the little man all my life, I was so defiant I wouldn't go into the business,” she says.
“I fought it for a long time but then I realised I had actually been practising for years.”
A trained therapist, she took a six-week stand-up comedy course with the Scottish comedian Viv Gee and realised she loved performing.
This year, she'll host the closing event of the festival - Corbett's Comedy Cabaret - with five comedians before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe.
“If you're local and you have some talent, they'll support you,” she says.
“It's magic and to be the last show is amazing. It's my favourite time of the year and when this eases out, we're bang into town for the Edinburgh Fringe.”
How is Fringe by the Sea different from Edinburgh Fringe?
Fringe by the Sea is smaller and more community-focused, with almost 300 events spread across North Berwick and a programme shaped to resonate with local audiences. It began as a spin-off of the Edinburgh festivals, but has grown into a festival in its own right.
What role does nature play in this year's programme?
Nature is central to this year's festival through music, art and participation. Erland Cooper's commission Sula Bassana celebrates the gannet population, Naomi McIntosh's nest-like structure creates a calm space, and children and families are joining in with bird-themed puppets, masks and a parade led by Vision Mechanics.
Key Facts
- Fringe by the Sea takes place in North Berwick, about 20 miles from Edinburgh.
- The festival has almost 300 events and starts a week before the Edinburgh Fringe.
- Erland Cooper's first music commission for the festival is called Sula Bassana.
- Emma Corbett will host the closing event, Corbett's Comedy Cabaret, before heading to the Edinburgh Fringe.
