MICHAEL Burnett’s article about “feeling like an alien in his home town” struck a chord with me (The view of a working-class playwright at the Fringe, Aug 14). Although I’ve never lived in Edinburgh, part of my working week at one time was spent there.
Every year at festival time, prices in hostelries and eating establishments increased, never to come down again, even in takeaways.
Most of my native Edinburgh colleagues found the events an inconvenience, with little interest in what was going on. They also felt that it wasn’t for them, a feeling that I shared.
READ MORE: Does the Fringe value profits over the artists who provide it?
We shared the view that if it had been meant for us, it would have been held in July, when most trade holidays happened in Scotland. Maybe it was deliberately not held then so that we’d stay away and not mix with the many affected accents heard at festival time.
Many events finish late, making getting home by public transport difficult. Mid-week evening events can also raise problems for those with work the following day. Holding it during the trades weeks would have eliminated some of these problems.
Drew Reid
Falkirk
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here