With 49,497 performances of 3,193 shows, The Edinburgh Fringe Festival is set to be the biggest yet. Organisers are promising a "truly unboring experience” while 299 venues will be used across the city, compared to the 273 used in 2013 to accommodate the extra fun.

Although, as I write this, the early July rain pours down, scuppering evening walks and Sunday afternoon picnics, not to mention the 30-minute walk to tonight’s Quentin Tarantino triple-bill. I’ve even Tweeted about it. Organisers and festivalgoers alike will be hoping Edinburgh’s penchant for torrential rain subsides when the thespians land. 

Kath M Mainland, chief executive of The Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, said: "This programme is the culmination of the creativity and hard work of thousands of people. With our eclectic range of shows and uniquely diverse range of voices the Fringe will, as always, be at the centre of things and promises to keep residents and visitors unbored."

More: Jeremy Paxman Hitting Edinburgh Fringe With One-Man Show: PAXMAN

To combat queues, technical difficulties and human error, organisers are promising a new ticketing system. Dedicated apps will aid audiences in decided what they want to see and when, while additional box offices will be installed and distributed evenly around the city so the poor Royal Mile doesn’t buckle under the pressure. 

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "As we welcome the world in 2014 to see the best that Scotland has to offer, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe will play a crucial role helping to attract visitors from all over the world to see and experience the diverse and extensive range of cultural and creative activity on offer."

The Edinburgh Fringe runs from 1 August to 25 August.