AN American gospel choir and the opening of a secret garden are among the highlights of a festival celebrating Edinburgh's Old Town.
One year on from its revival, the Old Town Festival is set to feature a range of events designed to celebrate the past and present of areas such as the Grassmarket, Cowgate and the Royal Mile.
The two-week spectacle will kick-off on June 16 and is
being supported by Edinburgh World Heritage and the Scottish Storytelling Centre.
Several arts projects will be launched and old photographs exhibited for the first time.
In what is likely to be one of the most-talked-about events, the private 18th-century garden where writer James Boswell, best known for his biography of literary icon Samuel Johnson, spent much of his life will be opened.
The discreet garden, which lies just off the Royal Mile on Chessel's Court, can be seen on June 21. Boswell, who was also a lawyer and diarist, spent half of his married life in the adjacent home.
The gospel choir of the Westminster Presbyterian Church Choir are set to fly in on June 16 for a lunchtime concert at St Giles' Cathedral. The North Carolina outfit will stage a free 40-minute concert in what is set to be one of the most captivating performances on offer.
A talk on Mary Queen of Scots' relationship with the Old Town is also expected to draw in the crowds.
A spokeswoman for the event said: "The festival programme includes a wide range of events for all ages – from storytelling performances, family activities, lectures, tours and talks, through to music, poetry, visual arts and book events – which celebrate the unique heritage, culture, community and stories of Edinburgh's Old Town.
"The Old Town Festival is the perfect opportunity for residents and visitors alike to explore or rediscover the Old Town and its stories for themselves.
"It draws together cultural and community-based organisations located in the Old Town in a lively showcase celebrating people and place.
"The two weeks of events at venues in and around the area open up the World Heritage Site as a unique environment, vibrant community and cultural treasure-trove."
Proceedings will begin with an exhibition of old photographs from the city's library collections, featuring old pictures of areas synonymous with that part of town.
Special guided tours of the Old Town, a behind-the-scenes look at how the St Giles' Cathedral choir works and a family day and fayre at Royal Mile Primary School will also take place.
Weblinks: http://www.ewht.org.ukThe full article contains 440 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
