Euan McGrory: Edinburgh's music venue conundrum will not go away

Who would have thought this time last week that pop concerts in Edinburgh would become such a hot topic of debate?

Paloma Faith. Pic: Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

First there were complaints about intrusive barriers put up on Princes Street to stop passers-by getting a free view of concerts. Then there were grumbles about music from the Rag ‘n’ Bone Man concert in the Gardens being heard during quiet points in the Tattoo. And finally there was the idea that pop concerts should move out of Princes Street Gardens and down to Leith Links.

In reality, these are just the latest twists in a very long running saga, as the Capital wrestles with the conundrum of where to stage major gigs.

The Gardens undoubtedly make a fantastic concert arena with the most dramatic of backdrops. Music fans love it - and just as importantly so do the stars, who can pick anc choose where they play.

Staging concerts there obviously comes at a cost of some inconvenience to others in the city centre. If not the Gardens, then where could/should we stage gigs? The same would be true of Leith Links.

The Gardens plan is well advanced and has significant cash backing. Development like this must not be rushed, but going back to the drawing board would likely take years to produce results.

Or do we need to just accept we have to go to Glasgow to see these kind of shows?