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Arts feature

The original Edinburgh Festival

James Sadler’s 1815 balloon flight, a Fringe first, heralded the greatest musical extravaganza that Scotland had ever seen, says John D. Halliday

22 August 2020

9:00 AM

22 August 2020

9:00 AM

Edinburgh, 3 November 1815. The university courtyard is buzzing. A band is playing. Surrounding streets are filled with thousands of excited spectators, many waiting since 10 a.m. From the Castle, from windows and rooftops, from Calton Hill, Holyrood Park and Salisbury Crags, all strain to get a glimpse. Then finally at 3 p.m.,

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The Edinburgh International Festival and Festival Fringe is online this year at eif.co.uk and edfringe.com.

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