THEY are the jewels in the crown of Scotland's cultural scene, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors and pumping £200 million into the nation's economy every year.

MEDIA boss James Murdoch called yesterday for a wholesale retreat of state intervention in broadcasting and the press, denouncing regulator Ofcom and the BBC for stifling independence and killing commercial profits.

THERE are plenty of free shows on the Fringe this year, but none – if we may be so bold – has the excitement factor of our annual Fringe Awards.

EDINBURGH's festivals are all on the verge of reporting record ticket sales in the face of the economic downturn, The Scotsman can reveal.

CHERIE Blair practised the art of diplomacy last night at the Edinburgh Book Festival.

HEARD the one about the return of traditional stand-up comedy to the Fringe?