Vox Pop: Royal Mile

The Royal Mile, with the Castle at the top and Holyrood Palace at the foot, is transformed into a riot of colour and entertainment in August.

Here are just a few of the thousands of visitors and locals enjoying the spectacle and giving their take on what makes Scotland so special.

David, Edinburgh

"The idea behind the show is to try and have a good time. The kids are the best. They either totally cry or they totally love it. Edinburgh in August is a very different place from Edinburgh at any other time. It's very cool."

Nathan, Edinburgh

"We saw a guy with no head. And someone throwing apples at a fork but he kept missing them. And then it started to rain."

Josh, England

"This is my first time in Scotland. The best thing about Scotland is the atmosphere and the people, I would say, and the abundance of very fine ladies."

Richard, Zimbabwe

"This is my third visit to Scotland. I like Scotland because the people are warm and everyone is free."

Isabelle, Australia

"I came up to Scotland two years ago and it was like, this is beautiful! I'm studying at the Edinburgh College of Art the moment. I've heard that Scotland wants international students to stay on and work, so I'm hoping that I can get a work permit here after I finish university."

Lauren, England

"Tonight we're going to see the Soweto Gospel Choir. The best thing about Scotland is the shortbread, definitely! Everything that's going on is fantastic."

Mona, Palestine

"The people here are very, very friendly. I'm actually thinking about coming here to study. I might go tomorrow to see the University of Edinburgh. I'd like to study law here, human rights law."

Neil, Edinburgh

"I want to be an actor. I want to stay in Scotland because I like the people. They're more down to earth, there's a good community feel and there's just a really good quality of life generally, I think."

Caroline (Artisan Flowers) Edinburgh

"My parents are Scottish but I'm English. I came up fifteen years ago just for a holiday and I started my small business four years ago. I'm a street trader. I could make a fortune from photographs. I get probably fifty photos taken of the stall everyday."