Edinburgh festival: how the city’s residents could benefit after the crowds leave

Edinburgh Festival image Euan Cherry Edinburgh Festival Fringe includes more than 3,600 shows this year. The world’s largest arts festival, once again transforming Scotland’s capital into a global stage. But this year, something else opened first. Just two weeks before the Fringe begins on Friday, Scotland’s first visitor levy came into effect: a 5% charge on overnight accommodation, forecast to raise around £50 million a year for the city. The levy is a milestone. But money alone will not…