An American Love Letter to Edinburgh

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2026

(Sat 22-Sun 30 Aug)

Or, Benjamin Franklin’s Scottish Enlightenment.

The Founding Father loved Edinburgh. He visited in 1759 and made pals with David Hume and Adam Smith. But what does Auld Reekie have to do with America's Declaration of Independence? Exactly 250 years after the Declaration, Rick Conte retraces his countryman's steps in a warm, funny and historically grounded account of how Enlightenment Edinburgh influenced a nation, and how a native of that nation found a home here centuries later.

'Delightful' ★★★★★ (NorthWestEnd.com)
'A beguiling show' ★★★★ (Scotsman)
'Storytelling at its best!' ★★★★ (ScotsGayArts.com)
'Heartwarming' ★★★★ (AllEdinburghTheatre.com)

Captioned Mon 24 Aug. Open captioning by Claire Hill.

• Theatre
• £16.00
• 22-30 August 2026
• 60 minutes
• Scottish Storytelling Centre Fringe
• Netherbow Theatre
• 14+