The inaugural Crieff Comedy Festival is preparing for another year of laughs after a successful first outing.
Hundreds of fans embarked on the Before The Fringe festival, as Crieff opened its doors to some of the UK’s top talent.
More than 60 acts descended on the Perthshire town, as comics practised their lines for the start of the Edinburgh Fringe this week.
Delighted organisers have declared they are making plans for the three-night event to take place again next year.
Crieff Comedy Festival co-oraniser and compere, Jim McCreadie, said: “This weekend has been the most enjoyable time I’ve had since I started working on comedy over three years ago.
“To have played a small part in the very first Crieff Comedy Festival has been a real privilege.
“Not only did I had the pleasure of watching some of the finest comedians that Scotland and the UK have to offer, but I got to introduce the amazing Tom Stade and watch The Rev Obadiah Steppenwolfe do his last ever gig.
“To top it off I hosted the final show of the festival which included two legends of Scottish comedy in the shape of the amazing Bruce Morton and the one and only Phil Kay.”
The festival proved to be an amazing opportunity for Perthshire locals to witness some of the UK’s best acts.
Big names including Tanyalee Davis, Mark Nelson, Raymond Mearns and Lynn Ruth Miller took to the stage in Crieff for the first time.
The event was the latest in a series of projects by Crieff Succeeds BID, a group dedicated to increasing footfall in the town.
Neil Combe, manager of the company, said the festival boosted revenue for local businesses.
He said: “We’ve had an overwhelmingly positive response to the inaugural Crieff Comedy Festival – Before The Fringe and plans are already in motion to repeat the event next year.
“The Festival was created to give locals something new and exciting to enjoy, while at the same time encouraging visitors into the town to enjoy a summer evening in Crieff and boost revenue for local businesses.
“There was a real buzz in Crieff’s bars and restaurants during the event and we definitely advanced our ongoing aims of increasing footfall and positioning Crieff as an attractive visitor destination.
“People came from all over the UK and the feedback about the comedians and the venues has been so positive, roll on 2019.”
