Edinburgh Festival time again, and that means the annual Caley Water Fringe Festival day out. Every summer, when the city of Edinburgh bursts into life with thousands of shows, street performers, and buzzing crowds, the Caley Water staff mark the occasion with their own tradition. Every year, the Caley team are treated to half a day off work to head into the heart of the festival and soak up the atmosphere. Even better, the whole experience is paid for by Caley Water, making it something that everyone looks forward to. It’s not just a casual outing—it’s become a cornerstone of our company . As long as the Edinburgh Festival continues, there will always be a Caley Water Fringe day out, and it’s something that new graduates and long-standing staff alike really appreciate (let’s be honest- everyone loves a freebie).
This year, the responsibility for pulling together the plan fell to our very own Nathan Brown, who was tasked with organising a day of fun activities and making sure the team got the best possible Fringe experience. Organising a group of environmentalists and hydraulic modellers isn’t always straightforward, but Nathan rose to the challenge. As is tradition, we began our afternoon at the Caley favourite—Wings on Fish market Close. For years this has been our go-to first stop, and it never disappoints. Platters of wings in every flavour imaginable, paired with cold beers, created the perfect warm-up for a long afternoon of comedy and culture.
With everyone well-fed and in high spirits, the group headed off to the first show of the day—5 Headliners for £10. The concept is simple: five comedians back-to-back, each giving a taste of their material. The format worked brilliantly as a mixed bag of styles, energy, and personalities. All were entertaining in their own way, but if we’re being honest, the reactions varied across the team. Two acts had us roaring with laughter, two were amusing enough, and one… well, let’s just say not every joke landed. Still, that’s the beauty of the Fringe—you never quite know what you’re going to get, and part of the fun is the unpredictability.
After the first round of shows, the Caley Water staff regrouped and made their way to the nearest beer garden, an essential part of the Fringe experience. Over drinks, we debated which show to see next. Some of the team leaned towards more stand-up, while others were tempted by the variety of theatre and cabaret on offer. In the end, the decision was made to go and watch the full set of one of the comics we had already seen earlier in the day. The vote was unanimous, even if the name of the comedian was a little hazy for some of us—perhaps down to a combination of age, festival pace, and the beers already consumed! What we do remember clearly, however, is his ongoing insistence during the show that he was in a relationship with an acrobat, which became a running joke throughout his set.
The full-length performance was worth it—intimate, sharp, and genuinely hilarious. The smaller venue created a close-up atmosphere where the comedian could interact directly with the crowd, and this really made the show memorable. It’s the kind of experience that sums up what makes the Edinburgh Festival so unique, and it gave everyone plenty to talk and laugh about for the rest of the afternoon.
With the main show done, it was time for another team gathering, this time at the City Café, another much-loved Fringe hangout. Over more beers, food, and relaxed conversation, the group wound down from the day’s activities. A little bit of work chat inevitably slipped in—but we did our best to keep that to a minimum.
By the time the evening came to a close, everyone agreed it had been another successful Caley Water Edinburgh Fringe outing. These events are more than just a perk—they showcase the company’s commitment to creating a supportive, social, and fun workplace where both graduates just starting out and experienced engineers feel part of the same community. The mix of laughter, food, culture, and togetherness is something that helps define Caley’s identity. Once again, the festival provided the perfect backdrop for a day that celebrated not just the arts, but also the people who make Caley Water such a great place to work.
