The tourist office (see Information, left) sends out accommodation lists free, and can reserve any type of accommodation in advance for a non-refundable pounds 3 fee: call in personally when you arrive or write in advance to Edinburgh Marketing Central Reservations Department, 3 Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2QP (031-557 9655), stating requirements. In Waverley Station the Edinburgh Hotel and Guest House Association runs an agency (031-556 0030; Mon-Sat 7am-10pm, Sun 8am-10pm) which makes no charge for bookings with any of its members.FESTIVAL VENUES: THEATRE & COMEDYAssembly Rooms (54 George St, 031-226 2428) Varied complex of small and large halls. Used all year, but really comes into its own during the Fringe, with large-scale drama productions and mainstream comedy.Bedlam Theatre (2a Forrest Rd, 031-225 9893). Used predominantly by student groups and housed in a converted Victorian church.Festival Theatre (Nicholson St, 031-529 6000).

Opened in June 1994, the Festival Theatre ends the city’s embarrassing lack of a venue suitable for staging grand opera and other theatrical spectaculars.Gilded Balloon (233 Cowgate, 031-226 6550). Fringe festival comedy venue, noted for the Late’n'Live (1-4am) slot which gives you the chance to see top comedians whose main show elsewhere may be booked out.King’s Theatre (2 Leven St, 031-228 5955). Stately Edwardian civic theatre that offers the most eclectic programme in the city: opera, ballet, Shakespeare, pantomime and comedy.Leith Theatre (28 Ferry Rd, 031-554 1508). The former Leith Town Hall, a regular stand-by for all kinds of performances, although the poor acoustics mean it is less used than it once was.Netherbow Arts Centre (43 High St, 031-556 2647).

Although the centre is run by the Church of Scotland, the emphasis in their adventurous year-round drama productions is more Scottish than religious.Playhouse Theatre (18-22 Greenside Place, 031-557 2590) The most capacious theatre in Britain, formerly a cinema. Great venue for musicals and rock concerts.Pleasance Theatre (60 The Pleasance, 031-556 6550) Fringe venue. Cobbled courtyard with views across to Arthur’s Seat and an array of auditoriums used for a varied programme.Royal Lyceum Theatre (30 Grindlay St, 031- 229 9697) Fine Victorian civic theatre with compact auditorium. The city’s leading year-round venue for mainstream drama.St Bride’s Centre (10 Orwell Terr, 031-346 1405).