The Herald:

North Berwick: Not Edinburgh, and all the better for it

Phil Nichol

I work a lot when I am in Edinburgh so when I have a day off I get the train from Waverley station to North Berwick. It’s the stop right at the end of the train line and ridiculously cute. It takes about half an hour; you get off the train and immediately it’s a different atmosphere. Everyone is unconnected and undisturbed by the Fringe. The people of North Berwick are the friendliest in the world. Once you arrive you can walk up on the wharf. There are day trips to see the puffins and seal colonies, but don’t do that. Instead, look out and admire where the Forth enters the sea. In your line of sight is a tiny hut called the Lobster Shack, offering chilled white wines from a local hotel and amazing seafood. It’s just a shack, a takeaway food place, but they serve amazing lobster and mussels. It’s really cheap and you’re right by the sea. I was recommended the Lobster Shack by someone from Fishers restaurant in Leith: I asked him what he did on his day off and he described it to me. You sit on the sea wall, sun in the sky, sea breeze in your hair, eating succulent lobster. It revitalises you and you go back to the festival refreshed. Even in the rain it’s fantastic.

Phil Nichol: Twenty is at Checkpoint, August 3-28 lobstershack.co.uk

The Herald:

Nish Kumar enjoys a White Russian at the Brass Monkey

Nish Kumar

My favourite pub is Brass Monkey. It’s got loads of old movie posters and they do the best white Russian. After last orders I head to the nearby kebab shop, Palmyra. The owner always recognises me – unfortunately not because of my immense fame, but because I go there so often. I also spend a lot of time in the Meadows; I normally live somewhere adjacent to there. I eat a lot; there are lots of great places lurking around the back roads of Edinburgh. A favourite is a Malaysian place called Kampong Ah Lee Malaysian Delight, down the bottom of Clerk Street; their food is fab. Another great spot is the National Gallery of Scotland; I enjoy popping in there to vary the cultural experience.

Nish Kumar: Actions Speak Louder than Words, Unless You Shout the Words Real Loud is at the Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 3-28 kampungali.com

The Herald:

Blackford Pond: Susan Calman's top chill out spot

Susan Calman

There’s a place called Blackford Pond. It’s not far out from the city centre and simply beautiful. When I go there and feed the ducks it feels like you’re a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of the Fringe. It’s a lovely little place; perfect on a sunny day. My wife is from Edinburgh, so she knows the best places to go. She recommended Blackford Pond a few years ago as somewhere to take a wander. I think it’s important to go somewhere that doesn’t revolve around comedy and alcohol, to simply read a book and enjoy the beauty of nature.

Susan Calman: The Calman before the Storm is at Pleasance Above – Pleasance Courtyard, August 3-28

The Herald:

Urban Angel: cakes and coffee. What's not to like?

Wendy Wason

I get a membership for the Scotsman Hotel in order to use their fantastic pool. It’s interesting because I’ve found a lot of comedians enjoy swimming laps. I think we like the repetitive nature. The pool is underground and dark, it’s hidden away from the Fringe madness and it’s brilliant. I also love to lunch in Urban Angel, a fantastic fair trade cafe. Then there is Blackford Hill. From that viewpoint you can see everything in Edinburgh, it’s a stunning panorama. It’s also a great spot to watch the Fringe fireworks as you’re apart from the crowds. I’m from Edinburgh so whenever I go to the Fringe I am coming home. I love that from Blackford Hill you can see all the iconic spots: Arthur’s Seat, the Castle and across to North Berwick Law.

Wendy Wason: Tiny Me is at Gilded Balloon Teviot, August 3-28 (not Aug 15) scotsmanspa.com, urban-angel.co.uk

The Herald:

Lucy Porter heads to second-hand (sorry, vintage) store Armstrongs

Lucy Porter

One of the main delights of the Fringe is to pack very light and buy exciting clothes while you’re there. Over the years I’ve got to know and love Edinburgh’s gorgeous second-hand shops. I’ve got a particular affection for Armstrongs and the Rusty Zip on Forest Road. When I arrive, the first thing I do is go to Armstrongs and raid the vintage cashmere. I do think the longest relationship of my life is with Armstrongs.

I’ve bought everything there: from stunning cashmere to fantastic fancy dress, including a lovely Irish dancing dress. It no longer fits me, so I’m saving it for my daughter. It’s absolutely beautiful. When I used to go out partying in the good old days, I would always go to Armstrongs and get myself an amazing vintage gown. I’ve got a beaded 1930s vest top that I still wear. In fact, there are Armstrongs purchases in my wardrobe that I’ve had for 10-15 years.

My favourite purchase was the nicest cashmere jumper I’ve ever owned: it was pink, dating from the 1960s with a Mondrian print on the front. I wore the death out of that. I think I bathed it more gently than I bathed my own children. More recently I’ve moved away from my Old Town haunts and I tend to stay in Stockbridge, last year in a gorgeous spot near Dean Bridge. The charity shops there are amazing. I’ve never found an area like that; it beats London. You can find amazing pictures and furniture as well as clothes. The charity shops are such a treasure trove and they’re also brilliant for kids. When we go to the Fringe, we don’t bring toys; instead we buy toys, games and books from the charity shop and return them at the end of the four weeks.

Lucy Porter: Consequences is at Pleasance Courtyard Aug 3-28 (not Aug 15 and 22) armstrongsvintage.co.uk

The Herald:

Mark Thomas recommends Summerhall, the Traverse and the Drill Hall

Mark Thomas

North Berwick is great if you want a bit of cycling and a walk by the beach. One Fringe I walked up there with my friends; we went to the Highland Games, ate loads of ice-cream, the best fish and chips and had lots of fun. Leith, with all its cafes, is also a great hangout. It’s nice to be by the water. But my favourite Edinburgh spots are the venues: from Summerhall to the Traverse to the Drill Hall. My advice is to hang out with as many performers as you can: go and see things they recommend, shows you might not have seen otherwise. Food wise, there’s a little cafe called The Pantry that does amazing coddled eggs. It’s the best place if you’ve got a hangover and need a great cup of coffee. It’s pretty darn fine.

Mark Thomas: The Red Shed is at the Traverse Theatre, Aug 6-28 (not Aug 8, 15 and 22) thepantryedinburgh.co.uk

Abandoman (Rob Broderick)

When I’ve got a day off I begin my day at the Hula Juice Bar on the Grassmarket. They do a ridiculously good soup-and-sandwich deal and a smoothie called The Nutty Professor that I really enjoy. The owners are good people. Inside you often see performers you recognise, but you can tell everyone has gone there for the same reason: to get their daily vitamins and to recuperate. Further down the road, I enjoy Red Dog Music, an iconic Edinburgh music shop, one of the best. They are very accommodating: they always let me pick up instruments and mess around. They’re also great for music technology and experimenting with drum machines.

One of the first times I went to the Fringe, I went to the Tex-Mex restaurant Illegal Jacks. The owner texted me and James [the other half of Abandoman] and we went along, freestyled and made our own burritos. We’ve gone back every year, but in 2015 they were closed. They just reopened in a new spot and I’m so excited. Their haggis quesadilla is the greatest thing I’ve ever eaten.

Accommodation wise, I once stayed at the Grassmarket Hotel and it was beautiful because all their walls are covered in Beano and Dandy covers. They leave a copy of the Beano by your bed; I grew up with those comics so it was perfect for me.

Abandoman: Life + Rhymes is at Underbelly, Aug 3-29 (not Aug 15 and 22) hulajuicebar.co.uk, reddogmusic.co.uk, onespa.com, illegaljacks.co.uk, grassmarkethotel.co.uk

Beth Vyse

Every year I unwind in Bannatyne Gym in the New Town and I always go up Arthur’s Seat: the view never fails to render me breathless. Comedians desire a reward, and what better reward than the view from the top of Arthur’s Seat? The City Cafe is a great breakfast spot: I always get a fry-up there. It hasn’t changed for the past five years, which I love. I am really excited for this year’s Fringe. I’ve just heard about the Cruz Bar in Leith, a floating bar and restaurant on the river. I am definitely going to go there, it sounds really camp and wonderful. On the website they rather wonderfully describe their wine list as a bit like the Eurovision Song Contest – a bit of everything.

Beth Vyse: as Funny as Cancer, Gilded Balloon at the Counting House, Aug 4-28 (not Aug 15) citycafeedinburgh.co.uk, thecruz.co.uk

James Wilson-Taylor

I’m from Edinburgh originally, so when I return in August it’s mainly an excuse for me to legally drink at all the bars I shouldn’t have been in when I was 17. I love Malones near the Meadows, it’s gone through about eight different owners since I was a teenager but it’s always been a great spot. When I was younger it was Oddfellows; it had a massive cinema screen that you could link up with your Nintendo and play video games. I love its latest incarnation, especially because it’s buzzing not just in the Festival, but also all year round.

I eat way too much at Oink every single year. I always tell friends from London to get the haggis on their roll. It has to be done. They are completely wrong to be sceptical. You need to get the classic Oink with haggis and Irn-Bru: accept no substitutes.

When I was a teenager I used to go to the nightclub Why Not. I returned a few years ago and I felt so old, dancing on the grimy, sticky floor. Cabaret Voltaire, on the flipside, is fantastic. It’s like this weird, raved-up cave. It’s always good.

I crash at my parents when I’m up for the Fringe. They live near Bruntsfield, Morningside way and that’s always a nice final spot on the night out. The bars up that way are great, particularly the Canny Mans. That area is also a little further out than most festival performers normally go. As a teenager I used to love the Liquid Rooms. Before it burned down they had this massive wall which was signed by all the iconic bands who had played there. When I was 15 my little band I had with my mates performed there and we signed the wall alongside Kurt Cobain. We were gutted when it burned down. They’ve renovated it so nicely though; there’s now this beautiful outside terraced area and you feel like you’re in New York. Also, while I can handle the Grassmarket on a Saturday night, Espionage at 4am on Saturday is not for a sane person. It might seem like a good idea but you get there and it’s just an endless sea of jaegerbombs.

James Wilson Taylor: Ginger is the New Black is at the Cowgate, Aug 4-28 malonesedinburgh.com, oinkhogroast.co.uk, thecabaretvoltaire.com, cannymans.co.uk

Maddy Anholt

I always make a point of getting a gym membership, just so I have somewhere to go which is unrelated to the Festival. My show is at 5.30pm, so I can get up and go to the gym then have the whole day and the evening afterwards. If the weather is nice I will go and sit in the Meadows for an hour or so – it’s important to go somewhere as far from the Fringe as possible. The charity shops on Nicholson Street are another favourite hangout. I do try to not be a Londoner and just go to Starbucks, however I really like the Starbucks on Nicholson Street. If I have a bit of time I’ll amble down there and watch the world go by in that little cafe.

Maddy Anholt: Rent Girl is at Gilded Balloon Teviot, Aug 3-29 (not Aug 15)

The Herald:

The towel department is a nice place, says Tom Allen

Tom Allen

My favourite place is the John Lewis towel department. It’s away from the Festival, it’s soft and comforting. I just love to go there and wander around. I think it’s better than the other John Lewis’s. The issue is, Edinburgh landlords charge you a ridiculous rent but often don’t provide towels, so you have to go and buy them. The towel department is a nice place to escape to, serene and calming, and the cafe at the top of the store has a nice view. It’s a bit tucked away, far from the disco bagpipes on the Royal Mile. It’s located in the St James Centre, which is being renovated, but fortunately John Lewis is open as usual - that’s definitely something to hold on to in these difficult times. I like that end of town; it’s very close to the Balmoral Hotel, which is great for tea and coffee.

Tom Allen: Indeed is at Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 3-28 johnlewis.com/our-shops/edinburgh

Craig Campbell

The Royal Commonwealth Pool gets all the numbers, but my favourite public pool is down Stockbridge way: the Glenogle Swim Centre. It has a good sauna and steam room and it’s a great place to get your head on straight. The membership is ridiculously cheap and the centre is such a great place to revitalise. I discovered it when I was doing a recon of the Stockbridge amenities – and bob’s your uncle, before you know it I’m there in my Speedos. Edinburgh is the coolest city for walking around and discovering things. You might make a wrong turn but there’s always something exciting around the corner.

Craig Campbell’s Easy Tiger is at The Stand Comedy Club, Aug 3--28 (not Aug 4 and 15) edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/glenogle-swim-centre

Suzi Ruffell

I’ve recently become so into yoga it’s replaced my personality. My favourite studio in Edinburgh is Meadowlark. They do hot yoga there, which I enjoy: when you’re sweating you definitely feel like you’re working out. The first weekend is always really exciting; loads of my best mates are comedians and we’re all living round the corner from each other for the month. Last year I hosted a movie night and I would always be home on a Thursday night to watch the Great British Bake Off. My nan watches it too so I’d always ring her the next day and go through who baked what. My mum always comes to visit me in Edinburgh for a weekend. That’s a nice way to relax. We always go to the Indian restaurant Mother India.

Suzi Ruffell: Common is at Just the Tonic at The Mash House, Aug 4-28 (not Aug 15) meadowlarkyoga.com, motherindia.co.uk

The Herald:

Arthur's Seat: A classic for a reason

Samantha Baines

Last year I climbed Arthur’s Seat for the first time in my seven years of Fringe-going – and I was proposed to at the top. I’ll probably do that again this year because I expect you get a diamond ring every time. I do like green spaces and one Fringe I lived on London Road and really enjoyed visiting the Royal Terrace Garden; there are lots of trees and plants there. It doesn’t feel like you’re in the centre of Edinburgh. My other favourite place is Holyrood Coffee shop, It’s in the city centre but never ridiculously busy, so I can enjoy people watching.

Samantha Baines: 1 Woman, a Dwarf Planet and 2 Cox is at Pleasance Courtyard, Aug 3-29 (not Aug 6)

The Herald:

Comedian Darren Connell is often on the trail of a wee ice cream van

Darren Connell

What I love most about Edinburgh is that you never know what is going to happen. This year will be my debut solo show. Trolleywood has heartache, weight struggles and an impression of a baby mermaid. It's dark and different from my role as Bobby Muir in the BBC comedy Scot Squad. 

I’ve done the Fringe in the past – I reached the final of So You Think You’re Funny? in 2011 – and did an open spot with two friends at the Three Sisters which was genuinely 10 minutes each for five days in a cleaner’s cupboard. My favourite spot to escape the madness is Arthur’s Seat and around Holyrood Park. I first went a couple of years ago with an ex-girlfriend. It was a day I had a bad hangover and wasn’t in the mood for walking. She said: “I know just the place.”

It is beautiful there – so quiet and peaceful with plenty of fresh air. I’ve climbed to the top a few times although it depends on how much time I have. If I only have half an hour I’ll go for a little stroll around the park. It is nice to have that sanctuary.

There is a wee ice cream van so I usually get a cone, chill out for a bit, find my thoughts and then it is back to the carnage of the Fringe.

Darren Connell: Trolleywood is at the Gilded Balloon Teviot, August 3-29

SUSAN SWARBRICK