A grim photo shows a phonebox on Edinburgh's Royal Mile littered with rubbish just days before the city's showpiece festival gets underway.
The image, taken on Tuesday morning, reveals several beer bottles, sandwich wrappers and takeaway cartons strewn across the ground, just metres from where street performers will by plying their trade for the next month.
Photographer Iain Masterton shared the image while expressing concern about the way the city centre will looking with the huge arts event about to get underway. Hundreds of performances will take place on the street as part of the festival throughout August.
Iain said: "The start of the Edinburgh festival season and the city looking at its finest off the Royal Mile @edfests @edfringe @Edinburgh_CC."
The City of Edinburgh Council have been contacted for comment.
The Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2021 will get underway on August 6 with tickets for 670 different shows running throughout the month now on sale.
There will also be a Covid-secure programme of street performances each day on the High Street from 11.30am until 8.30pm. There will even be a 'Fringe Safe Street Performance' area.
Shona McCarthy, Chief Executive, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society said: “It’s always incredible to see Edinburgh’s historic streets transformed by live performance, and I’m thrilled that the cobbles will come alive with creativity once again this August. Our thanks to the City of Edinburgh Council, EventScotland and Unique Events for helping to make this happen.
“Our absolute top priority will be making sure these events are as safe and secure as possible, for Fringe-goers and performers alike. Covid mitigation plans are built into everything we’re doing, and we will always work to the latest government guidance to ensure audiences can enjoy this programme of world-class outdoor entertainment safely this August.
“I’m so pleased that we’re able to support this vital group of performers. Since the 1960s, street performers and buskers have provided fans and families with a special way to enjoy the Fringe. It is down to their professionalism and dedication that we all get to enjoy this spectacle of live and unique entertainment, and I’m delighted they’re able to return.”
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