Without wishing to sound like a VisitScotland advertisement or jingoistic, can there be anything better than sitting in a glorious harbour setting, sampling the best food and drink East Lothian has to offer and enjoying world-class entertainment from the Edinburgh Fringe?

I think there is a danger that we can get complacent about annual events such as Fringe by the Sea which are right on our doorstep in East Lothian, which is why I am never slow to exclaim “how lucky are we”, extolling the cultural offerings of our home county.

Top entertainment talent available without having to travel into the city and a real festival buzz to North Berwick are a huge benefit, both to the local economy and to those of us fortunate enough to attend the odd show.

Local galas, Highland games and, of course, all manner of entertainment available at the Edinburgh Festival mean that there is never a dull moment for guests at Leuchie in the summer who are looking for fun stimulating trips and outings during their breaks. The fact that we can also drive guests down the hill and take them to shows at Fringe by the Sea is a huge bonus as many of our guests, for varying health reasons, cannot travel far.

Some entertainers go even further by offering to come to Leuchie to play for a few that cannot make the trip out and that is always much appreciated by guests and staff. The house suits a performance, with generously proportioned public rooms with great acoustics and a grand piano setting the scene.

Many of the guests who come to Leuchie for much-needed respite can become pretty much housebound as their conditions deteriorate and the difference it can make to their wellbeing by hearing good live music, or entertained by a writer or Tai chi is huge.

Thankfully, venues in East Lothian are well used to visits from Leuchie guests so accessibility is rarely a problem. However, we like to think that if it is and we are able to help the business get over accessibility issues it is a win-win situation.

All these wonderful events rely on committed entrepreneurs, funding from various sources, passionate volunteers and supporting members of the community who buy tickets. Even the sun joined in! It is really hard work that is not always recognised, so let’s all give a huge thank you to those people who make it happen. We should never forget how fortunate we are.