A Scots actor has said the Edinburgh Festival is "dying" due to steep hotel prices in the city.
Brian Maitland insists performers will not want to come back, adding that punters have been also been put off by the costs. The Scot, who now lives in London, took to TikTok to rant after finding hotel prices costing as much as £526 for two nights in the middle of August and quickly discovered many hotel prices were similar - costing hundreds for just a couple of nights.
Hundred of thousands of tourists are expected to flock to the city as The Edinburgh International Festival, Festival Fringe and Book Festival all kick off in August. It is the first year the full festival has taken place since the pandemic after a scaled back version last year, reports Edinburgh Live.
Many are known to book in advance to avoid the steep prices - and August is the busiest times of year in the capital, with hotel and accommodation prices increasing to meet demand.
In the video the comic says: "The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is dying and here's f****** why, this is just an example here is Travelodge's website, it's not a five star hotel and is in central Edinburgh - £419 staying Monday - Wednesday during the Fringe.
"Also booking.com on the same days £548, £481, £151 - fair enough, £524, £486."
"Accommodation owners are getting really f****** greedy however performers can't afford these prices. Guess what they’re not going to come back to Edinburgh and the Fringe won't be able to continue."
The video only focusses on hotels in the city centre. There are many options for visitors and performers coming to the Fringe including hostels, renting rooms or staying further out of the city.
Another thing to take into consideration is the fact that the prices were found for stays less than a month before the Fringe, so higher prices are to be expected. Many seasoned visitors at the Fringe book a year in advance for the festival.
Viewers were split over the scathing video - which has racked up 20,000 views and over 1200 likes - with many claiming expensive hotels would be the same in any major city hosting a huge event, and that during peak tourist season hotels in the city centre are usually more expensive.
One exclaimed: "It's always been that expensive during the festival."
Another said: "To be fair, accommodation in Edinburgh is always crazy. But it’s the same when any event anywhere."
A third added: "It's always been more expensive during the festival. Nothing new here mate. Performers generally book early."
But some agreed saying: "Only ever been for a day trip to the fringe. No way I’m paying those prices."
Another added: "I’ve always wanted to go but never been able to afford it."
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