In pictures: Edinburgh Festival

1 of 8 The heavens opened leaving these Korean dancers no choice but to cover up during a practice run for the Edinburgh Tattoo......

2 of 8 ...... but when the sun came out, all was revealed - a fan-tastic display of colour and dance

3 of 8 National dress was the order of the day for the Fringe parade through Scotland's capital

4 of 8 Bagpipes are not the preserve of the Scots, as demonstrated by these cavalcade musicians

5 of 8 One young chap managed to obtain the best seat in the house which had an audience of thousands

6 of 8 Dancers from Oman wait for their cue at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo

7 of 8 These cavalcade marchers, with heads held high, go proudly through the city

8 of 8 Biker Ian Paterson chats about Harleys with "nuns" Laura Bowden (left) and Kate Kirkwood