Visiting Edinburgh for the vavious festivals in August can be an expensive business - show tickets, accomodation, food and drink soon add up.
But the truth is that there are many ways to have some festival fun withouy spending a penny.
Admittedly some of the shows that are billed as 'free', particularly at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, ask for a donation after the show - but if you don't like them you don't have to put your hand in your pocket.
And there are many other attractions and events that are genuinely free.
Here are 10 of our favourites.
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5. Take in the chaos of the Royal Mile
Throughout the Edinburgh Festival Fringe you can enjoy a walk down the Royal Mile where you can catch snippets from many of the shows, alongside plenty of street performers, jugglers, magicians and the dreaded human statues. Just make sure you aren't in a hurry and don't mind having promotional fliers thrust at you by over-enthusiastic performers. The main thing is it's all free - and one of the first stops for families with children. | Getty Images
6. Hit the beer gardens
Even if you don't fancy splashing out on food and drink, the huge number of venue beer gardens that spring up around Edinburgh in August are attractions in their own right - and entry is free. The Underbelly and Assembly gardens at George Square are probably the pick of the bunch - you'll more than likely see an impromtu performance or two and there's plenty for the kids to enjoy. The Circus Hub on the Meadows, Pleasance Courtyard, Assembly @ St Andrew's Square and Summerhall are all worth a visit too. | JP License
7. Hit the art trail
The Edinburgh Art Festival runs from August 14-30 and celebrates the visual arts in official and pop-up galleries across the city. Now in its 22nd edition, most of the exhibitions are free - just grab a programme and use the included map (or check out the map on their website) to make your way around. It's also a fun way to visit parts of the city you might not otherwise see. | EAF
8. Try the other Free Festival
Fringe-goers don't have to worry about the history of why there are now two different free fringes (or the associated politics) - they can just be happy at the extra choice they have. The Free Festival began in 2004 and was set up by Laughing Horse Comedy promoters, operating from pubs and other venues across the city - most notably The Counting House and The Three Sisters (pictured). Pretty much the same rules apply - watch a show and then pay what you want at the end - although they have switched to a ticketed 'pay what you want' model for some shows (with any empty seats released for free shortly before the performance starts) You can pick up a full programme from any of their venues. | Google Maps