The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is an ever-growing part of the larger Edinburgh International Festival, which involves more than 2,695 shows in 279 venues around Scotland's historic capital. Originally established as an alternative to the main festival in 1947, the Fringe has grown in prominence in recent decades, and is now a major pilgrimage for performers and audiences of all artistic genres each August, from theatre, dance and music to stand-up comedy.

At the 2012 Fringe Festival, 36 per cent of shows were comedy-based and 28 per cent theatrical, though many other artistic forms are represented in a festival that traditionally has fewer barriers to entry than other arts and culture events, with no selection committee dictating what can or can't be performed.

Generally speaking, if a performer or troupe have the funds to hire a venue during the festival, and are confident in their ability to draw an audience, a show can take place. Many performers don't even need a venue, as seen with the proliferation of street performances in key city centre locations, particularly along the Royal Mile.

With such a wide selection of shows to choose from, visitors to the Fringe can often feel daunted when organising their schedule, though the proximity of the major venues to hotels in Edinburgh city centre can make this easier. Just walking around Edinburgh in festival season can be a unique experience in itself, as drama students go to extreme lengths to promote their shows and some of the world's most famous comedians rub shoulders with their fans in the bars of the Pleasance, the Underbelly and other major venues.

Reading the official Edinburgh Fringe Programme compiled by the Festival Fringe Society is a good starting point for planning your trip, but you could also find it useful to learn what other shows are happening at the venues you're already going to, as this can cut down on travelling times between shows and may lead to you discovering something you wouldn't otherwise have seen.

While big-name TV comedians can be relied on to play the festival each year, and high-profile theatre shows featuring Hollywood talent are always guaranteed to sell out in advance, it's always worth seeking out some of the more obscure festival treats by reading reviews or recommendations from trusted sources. Finding out whether your favourite comedian, actor or band has been interviewed about their picks of the Fringe could give you ideas when organising your Scotland break this summer.

Bruce Giles writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.