During the month of August each year The Edinburgh International Festival takes place. This major mainstream event consists of opera, theatre, music and dance. Additionally, the vibrant Edinburgh Festival Fringe takes place, consisting of comedy, film, exhibitions and just about any type of art form that can attract an audience, including street performers, the subject of these panoramas. The venue of the street performers (who work all around the world) is largely The Royal Mile, part of which is closed to traffic during The Festival. Large crowds drift up and down the street sampling the entertainment.

Edinburgh Old Town was built on the ridge running down the from Edinburgh Castle to The Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The Royal Mile runs for about one mile west to east, from the entrance of Edinburgh Castle to the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile, known as the main street in Mediaeval Edinburgh, runs through the old town. There are high buildings on either side with narrow lanes or closes between them, particularly on either side of the High Street.

Attempts have been made to retain the historical atmosphere of this famous street so visitors to the city can walk along the cobbled streets just as they were many centuries ago