Tuesday 3 August 2010

Edinburgh Festival's Latest 'Wheeze"



Not only is the Edinburgh Festival going to become India's PR company, this year you can have your tea 100ft above Princes Street Gardens.

After delighting guests from Monaco to Las Vegas, the unique attraction will be premiering at the Edinburgh Festival from 1 - 31 August. Guests will enjoy a thrilling dining experience whilst taking in Edinburgh's spectacular skyline suspended at over 100 feet from a luxury 22 seater table and will be treated to a sample of Scotland's finest food and drink.

Prices range from £32.50 for what I would think would be breakfast (morning flight) to £97.50 for some evening flights. Think an Anstruther fish supper, eaten by the harbour with my feet on terra firma, sounds even better than ever!

On a more serious note I find the 'joint initiative' by all of Edinburgh's festivals to develop India-focused programming from 2012 to 2014' concerning. The Festival has gained international fame because it is just that - international. To make it so politically biased doesn't sit well with me. For one country to dominate for three years is not in the spirit of art but profit.

20 comments:

cynicalHighlander said...

Some people always like to look down on others no matter the cost!

Joe Public said...

"Scotland's finest food and drink."

Deep-fried Mars Bars, followed by Haggis-flavour ice cream?

cynicalHighlander said...

Washed down with a bottle of Buckie no doubt.

Anonymous said...

100ft? Beware low base jumpers.

Indyanhat said...

...and elfnsfety have given this the go ahead have they!

I wonder who would hold liability if a suicidal person chose to jump and injured people underneath?

Leg-iron said...

Does it have toilets?

And are they 'long drop' ones?

And what's it hanging over? Prince's Street? Is it directly over the cardboard tram replica they had last time I was there?

If all those conditions are met, I'd consider giving it a go.

subrosa said...

Funny you should say that CH. When I was checking the prices I noticed lots of daytimes sold out and thought the same myself.

subrosa said...

Fish suppers or prawn cocktails for that price surely Joe!

subrosa said...

Or Irn Bru CH. They shouldn't supply alcohol. It's a diuretic.

subrosa said...

Expensive jump vc206, especially if you want to do it at night.

subrosa said...

It's amazing what influence the words Monaco and Las Vegas have Indyan.

subrosa said...

Your chair must be a comode LI don't you think?

I understand it hovers over Princes Street Gardens not the actual street itself but I could be wrong.

It shouldn't be too far from your target and if the wind is blowing in the right direction ...

Conan the Librarian™ said...

It's in the West End Garden, just beside the carousel, Leg-iron would have to drink at least eight pints first...

Jim said...

I love Edinburgh in August and make it my business to get there as much as I can during the festivals. As it turns out, in all the years I've been going I've never actually been to a main festival event - which was a surprise to me, given the quality of some of the shows I've attended... most are fairly obviously part of the fringe I should confess... but the only Indian influences I've ever had were at Kushi's on Poterrow... think it's moved now.

I don't believe that any efforts that any one country ever makes will be able to dominate the festivals though.... unless Australia starts withholding it's bar staff ;-)

subrosa said...

Ah now I know where it is Conan. Many thanks. I suggest a catheter for Leg Iron.

subrosa said...

Auch Jim, I always avoid Edinburgh in August. Must come from the days when I used to live there and had a hell of a time driving to and from work.

Most of the 'locals' then used to avoid the town too if they could, although I did go to a few concerts. Maybe things have changed.

Jim said...

Ach! Miserable East Coasters! ;-)

Live in Glasgow, get the train through mid morning (morrisons do some cracking wee bottles of vino plonko with a screw top)

Arrive in the capital ready to rumble. Take on the climb up Cockburn street, possibly stopping at the southern cross cafe for a wee sandwich & coffee, possibly just heading right into the Scotsman lounge for a wee nip to help you survive the crowds.

Up onto the high street to enjoy the buzz and meet your amigos - who have chosen some terrible mid afternoon comedy for you to suffer through.

Late lunch at la garrique on Jeffrey street - take too long over the main course and miss out on the sensational desserts they have on offer. Rush to the pleasance for courtyard beers and a better standard of comedy show.

Out and about with a wee pub crawl back to Waverley, hoping to catch some live music before your late train back to the Weege.

subrosa said...

Sounds like a braw day oot Jim but I couldnae cope wi' a' that booze. :)

I suppose if I really wanted to see something in particular I would go and I visit Tattoo every 20 years as part of my patriotic duty. Isn't that enough?

Jim said...

Ach, Subrosa. The Tattoo is magic anyway, you should just go without having to think it a patriotic duty.

Not all my festival days are such booze filled extravaganzas either... just the first one of the season ;-)

Quieter days out with Mrs Diaspora going along to some of the smouldering latin / cuban dance shows are usually on the itinerary too... not that she minds a wee glass of vino right enough!

subrosa said...

Oh Jim, I'm not adverse to a wee drop of something warming myself. Perhaps what also inhibits me visiting is that taking the car to Edinburgh during summer is a fool's idea and any trip to anywhere from here to reach public transport involves as £25 taxi ride or driving.

The Tattoo never ceases to delight. I think a visit is due shortly but my source of free tickets dried up a few years ago, for the late night shows that is.

The book festival is more my thing but it was sold out so far in advance - long before I got round to thinking about it.

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