Edinburgh Festival: a photo tour of the stunning venues

Every summer, Edinburgh is the stage for the world's largest annual arts festival and Festival Fringe. Prepare for your visit by taking our photographic tour of a few of the city's finest concert halls and performance spaces.

1. Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street

Built in 1883, this stunning 658-seat auditorium has been one of the main venues for the Edinburgh International Festival since its inception in 1947. Believed to be haunted, there have been sightings in the theatre of a ghostly blue woman, thought to be the great actress Ellen Terry. Photo: Tommy Ga-Ken Wan
2. Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill

For the authentic Edinburgh experience, the Military Tattoo - one of the centrepieces of the Festival - occupies the Castle Esplanade every night, with massed pipers and military bands drawn from around the world. Performances end, of course, with fireworks. Photo: Getty
3. St Giles Cathedral, High Street

More properly termed the High Kirk of Edinburgh, St Giles' is the Church of Scotland's principal place of worship in Edinburgh and has been one of the city's religious focal points for some 900 years. Stop by for a lunchtime piano or organ recital, as well as choral and instrumental concerts.
4. Festival Theatre, Nicolson Street

Used mainly for opera and ballet, the Festival Theatre is one of the major venues of the International Festival and is the Edinburgh home of Scottish Opera and the Scottish Ballet. Such legendary names as Laurel and Hardy and Morecambe and Wise have played here. The theatre is haunted by the ghost of the illusionist The Great Lafayette, who died in a fire on this site in 1911. Photo: Getty
5. Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street

Covering more than 30 acres, the gardens are home to the lofty Scott Monument, the famous Floral Clock and the Ross Bandstand which hosts concerts during the Festival and Hogmanay celebrations. Photo: Kim Traynor
6. Mayfield Salisbury Church, West Mayfield

A fine example of the French Gothic architectural style, this welcoming church boasts a 48-foot high spire and magnificent collection of stained glass. It hosts concerts and will run an 8-month long festival of sacred music from September 2014 to April 2015. Photo: Mayfieldeditor
7. Greyfriars Tollbooth and Highland Kirk Edinburgh

This 400-year old Church of Scotland parish church is one of the oldest surviving buildings outside of the Old Town of Edinburgh. The kirk hosts a wide variety of musical events, including regular concerts with the Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Scottish Ensemble, National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and The Sixteen.
8. The Voodoo Rooms, West Register Street

Reminiscent of pre-war Berlin decadence, the Voodoo Rooms come into their own with performances during Festival season but also host live events around the year. The five rooms and three bars connect in a 360 degree circuit.
9. The Queen's Hall, Clerk Street

Situated on Clerk Street, this venue was originally built in 1823 as a chapel. It was formally opened as a theatre by HM The Queen in July 1979. It now plays host to all types of live music, particularly as the year-round Edinburgh home of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Photo: Alistair Wight
10. Edinburgh Playhouse, Greenside Place

The largest theatre in Scotland has been used as a theatre and a cinema, and is now a popular venue for musicals, concerts, opera and ballet. Photo: eif.co.uk
11. Usher Hall, Lothian Road

One of the world's outstanding concert halls, the Usher Hall has hosted some of the greatest concerts and events in Edinburgh for a century. During August, there is a Festival performance here every night. Photo: Kim Traynor
12. Murrayfield Stadium

Although mainly a rugby union stadium, Murrayfield has hosted American football, rugby league and association football matches and concerts. One of the most notable was the Edinburgh 50,000 - The Final Push concert as part of Live 8, with performances from the likes of James Brown, Texas and The Proclaimers. Photo: Getty