Edinburgh road closures announced ahead of summer festival season

A number of road closures have been announced ahead of a summer of festivals.

The City of Edinburgh Council has announced temporary changes to the way some of the streets in the Old Town operate.

This comes as hundreds of thousands of visitors are expected to flock to the city for the Festival Fringe, the Tattoo and the Film Festival.

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The council have reminded locals that the population of Edinburgh doubles during the summer and to make the streets in the Old Town safer, some roads will be closed to traffic at certain times.

Council Leader Cammy Day said: "Whilst we’re rightly proud to be welcoming performers and visitors from all over the world for our summer festivals, we need to make sure this influx is managed safely and properly. We’ve made temporary successful changes to streets in the Old Town during this period for a number of years and I’m sure this summer will be no different.

"I’d like to thank our residents and businesses for their understanding as we get ready to showcase Edinburgh as the world’s cultural capital once again."

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Road closures

High Street, St Giles Street (in part), Parliament Square(s) and Cockburn Street

Edinburgh Fringe and Tattoo from August 31 July to 25

• High Street, St Giles’ Street and Cockburn Street - closed to vehicles between 10.30am and midnight (Monday to Saturday) and 10.30am to 9pm on Sundays.

• Loading and unloading permitted from midnight until 10.30am. No waiting permitted at any time.

• St Giles Street has an area restricted to allow loading 10.30am to 7pm in the east-west section (accessed from Bank Street/North Bank Street).

• Cockburn Street waiting, loading and unloading permitted from midnight until 10.30am.

Blair Street

Edinburgh Fringe from August 5 August to 26

• Closed to vehicles from South Bridge for 30 metres westwards.

• Normal one-way is rescinded and there is an area restricted to allow loading and turning at the northern end of the north-south section.

Lawnmarket (Castlehill to George IV Bridge)

Summer Streets - July 15 to September 30

• One way eastbound from Johnston Terrace for bus, coach, taxis and cycles only between 10.30am to 6.30pm daily.

• Access for servicing, loading and unloading 6.30pm – 10.30am (access via Johnston Terrace).

• Advisory 5mph speed limit.

Castle Concerts – July 4 to 14

• Closed to vehicles from 4pm to midnight on 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 July.

Tattoo – July 31 July to August 24

• Closed to vehicles from 4pm, 5pm or 5.30pm to midnight for the Tattoo

• 5pm on 31 July and 1 August, 5.30pm weekdays (except 9 August)

• 4pm on 3, 9, 10, 17 and 24 August.

• General vehicle access, one way eastbound, midnight until 10.30am

Additional vehicle restrictions will be in place from 30 September to the end of July 2025 to allow us to carry out major road repairs. More information will be provided at a later date.

Johnston Terrace

Summer Streets - July 15 to September 30

• Access for all vehicles from 15 July to 30 September.

• No access into Lawnmarket except buses, taxis and cycles 10.30am – 6.30pm

Castle Concerts – July 4 to 14

• Closed to vehicles from 4pm to midnight on 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 July.

Tattoo - July 31 to August 24

• Closed to vehicles from 4pm, 5pm or 5.30pm to midnight for the Tattoo

• 5pm on 31 July and 1 August, 5.30pm weekdays (except 9 August)

• 4pm on 3, 9, 10, 17 and 24 August.