Short-term lets and austerity-weakened services have degraded the world heritage site, writes Cliff Hague of the Cockburn Association (Edinburgh’s Civic Trust)
Brian Logan recognises that the Edinburgh fringe festival must reform (The Edinburgh fringe is too long, too expensive and too gruelling. It must change or die, 29 August).
However, his visitor and insider focus means he fails to confront the underlying issues. Yes, accommodation is ludicrously expensive, but for two reasons. First, much of the property available for short-term renting is owned by investors seeking precisely those premium August rents. Second, the supply is finite, while, despite the Covid hiatus, the aim of the fringe and the associated tourist industry has been to grow year on year.
