Edinburgh Fringe 2025 Hot Tickets: Here are 31 four and five star comedians returning this August - from Garry Star to Amy Gledhill
The physical programme has over 3,350 shows across 265 venues, meaning it can be a daunting task to work out what exactly you are going to see.
While it's fun to take a punt and hope for the best, it's sometimes nice to go for a known quantity - a performer who has delivered acclaimed shows in the past.
At The Scotsman we review hundreds of shows every year, with the best receiving a sought-after four or five star rating.
While previous success is no guarantee that they will deliver the goods again, it's as good an indicator as any - particularly since many of the shows in Edinburgh have never been performed before.
So, here are all 31 returning comedians who earned a four or five review from us in 2024 - and what we said about their shows.
1 . Amy Gledhill: Make Me Look Fit On The Poster
Amy Gledhill is returning this year for two performances only of last year's Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning show. What we said: "Amy Gledhill is a woman in possession of a treasure trove of funny stories from her life – and boy, does she know how to animate them." (Four stars). | Contributed Photo Sales
2 . Amy Mason: Behold!
What we said about last year's show: "A wonderful example of belated, begrudging self-acceptance channelled into a consistently very funny performance." (Four Stars) | Contributed Photo Sales
3 . Ania Magliano: Work in Progress
What we said last year: "Ania Magliano has taken a huge step. She's moved in with her lovely boyfriend - the first time she's lived with someone. And it's going quite well. But this being an Ania Magliano show, there is more to this." (Four Stars) | Contributed Photo Sales
4 . Chloe Petts
Chloe Petts has two shows at this year's Fringe - 'Big Naturals' and 'Miscellaneous'. What we said about lasat year's show: "The charismatic comic demonstrates her wide appeal with a range of great material, from her woeful school education about sapphic relationships to this being the golden age of the butch lesbian." (Four Stars) | Contributed Photo Sales
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3 minutes ago
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Scotsman
3 hours ago
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The site before it became The Rail Yard with food vendors week-round and the farmers market on a Saturday | The Rail Yard Live music at The Rail Yard on the weekend | The Rail Yard Mrs Robertson's husband, Stuart, said the market, which can hold up to 40 traders, has forged connections between the community and producers. 'They say if you phone them up and say you want something, they'll bring it the following week,' he said. 'There's a fishmonger who attends - Wilson's Catch of the Day. We haven't had a fishmonger in this area in years.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The couple said the market gives people the chance to access fresh, local produce more readily. Mrs Robertson added: 'There is a perception that urban markets are elitist and expensive, but The Rail Yard, because it offers so much more, extensively breaks down that image.' Free-to-use deck chairs for anyone wondering through the market space, even if just for a look | The Rail Yard Meet some of the producers For the farmers and producers themselves, the new space brings better connection between farm and fork. 'We can tell our story to our customers,' said Claire Hosie, of Kinkell Farm. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'People don't realise we're just ten miles from the centre of Glasgow growing vegetables.' Mrs Hosie and her husband, David, grow seasonal veg chemical-free and use vertical farming for microgreens. The farmer said their ethos is about connecting people with where their food comes from. 'Know your farmer and know your food,' Mrs Hosie said. 'With the market, we are able to have those conversations and bring fresh food, harvested the day before, into family homes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Some people are really interested in it and tell you how amazing your produce is which really gives you a lift. Farming is not an easy gig, so it keeps you going when you get that feedback.' Colin Russell runs Ramstane Farm with his wife, Jill, a 25-minute drive from Glasgow in North Ayrshire. Colin Russell at the market with his Ramstane Farm stall and the chickens at the farm | Colin Russell The couple own the 16-acre regenerative farm with pasture-raised chickens for meat and eggs. 'The Rail Yard is our first farmers market,' said Mr Russell, whose approach to farming is about quality, animal welfare and soil health. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'It's a great environment for those face-to-face conversations and for marketing what we do.' While costs tend to be higher for small producers, Mr Russell said they try to keep their egg prices comparable with supermarkets so the food is accessible. 'It is very encouraging to see people supporting small farms and returning each week,' he said. 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Chris Walton at his Peelham Farm stall at The Rail Yard in Glasgow | Chris Walton The farmer said across the various stalls for Peelham Farm, he's noticed direct sales are growing. 'People want to forgo the supermarkets,' he said. 'They are getting fed up with being duped by all sorts of incorrect sales material. They want to know exactly what they are buying and we can talk that story at the market.' The Waltons carried out surveys with their customers and, anecdotally, they've found conversation is the number one reason why people attend markets. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'People come here because they want the conversation, the community feel.' Stuart Collins, founder of The Rail Yard, said for him, the aim of the market is to facilitate better access to fresh, quality Scottish produce. Stuart Collins, founder of the The Rail Yard which he runs with market director, Bronwen Nixon | The Rail Yard 'By getting more farmers, bringing in more people and creating demands, it shows there's a market, creates the conversation and builds momentum. 'If there's enough pressure, there will be a point where if a Scottish market demands a certain amount of, say, seafood, businesses might send a lorry to Glasgow rather than sending everything abroad. It might be a little pie in the sky but the only way to change it is to get momentum going.' And footfall is growing. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'There's more people coming down each week buying produce of that higher quality because it's there,' he said. 'People go because it's something to do on a day out. And while they're there, they go 'oh look at that forest-bred rare pork let's get some of that bacon for tomorrow's breakfast'. And that's how you get 'em!' Market director Bronwen Nixon said: 'It's been amazing to see The Rail Yard growing into a space where Scotland's producers and growers can share their food and their stories.
