While Edinburgh becomes the comedy capital of the world every August for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, there are some great comedians who come here and never leave.
As anyone who spends any time in our city centre during August knows, during the festival month you can’t walk across George IV Bridge without bumping into several comedians. But who are the stand-ups that call this festival city ‘home’ all year round?
We've taken a look at the comedians who currently live in Edinburgh, including Daniel Sloss, Liam Withnail, Jay Lafferty and Jo Caulfield.
5. Sam Lake
Sam Lake is a stand-up comedian who is originally from Cornwall but recently relocated to Edinburgh. Sam quickly made a name for himself on the comedy circuit, being named winner of the Leicester Square Theatre New Comedian of the Year, Hastings Fringe Newcomer of the Year and South Coast Comedian of the Year. He regularly performs in the biggest comedy clubs around the UK. in 2022, his debut hour Cake garnered rave reviews, and was recorded as a special at Monkey Barrel Comedy, released in July and follow-up second hour ‘Aspiring DILF’ was among the best reviewed comedy shows at the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe. Sam has recently starred in Dave’s The Comedy Guide to Life & All4’s The Joy of Missing Out with Tom Allen. His writing has been featured on Mock The Week (BBC 2), Breaking The News (BBC Radio Scotland) & Newsjack (BBC Radio 4 extra). He’s also the host of the podcast 'I’ve Had a Rosé, Let’s Talk About Feelings'. Sam Lake is bringing his critically acclaimed smash hit show ‘Aspiring DILF’ to Monkey Barrel on February 24. | Flick Morris PR Photo: Flick Morris PR
6. Jay Lafferty
Jay Lafferty is a regular panelist and sometime host of the hit BBC Scotland show Breaking The News who was recently included in The List Magazines Hot 100. Jay’s friendly and relaxed persona allows her to get a way with the darker jokes that punctuate her material. Her latest smash hit show Bahookie opened at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023 to sold out audiences and rave reviews. The show was listed in the British Comedy Guides best reviewed shows at the Edinburgh Fringe. Jay is recording Bahookie at Monkey Barrel on March 3. | Rod Penn Photo: Rod Penn
7. Robin Grainger
Robin Grainger, as seen on The One Show, BBC News, The Comedy Underground, The Nine, The Edit (BBC Scotland), heard on BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio Scotland, Forth One and featured in The Telegraph, The Scotsman and Metro. In 2022 Robin performed the opening night of his Edinburgh Fringe show to one audience member. Word got out that he’d done an incredible show especially for Mike from Leicester and the media frenzy that followed launched his career and sold out the rest of the run. Robin, from Aberdeenshire has lived in Edinburgh for over 10 years but performs all over the UK and has supported the likes of Kevin Bridges, Milton Jones, Larry Dean, Tom Stade, Carl Hutchinson, Paddy McDonnell, Gary Meikle. Robin brings his show ‘An Audient with Robin Grainger to Monkey Barrel on June 6. | Flick Morris PR Photo: Flick Morris PR
8. Amy Matthews
Amy Matthews is an Essex-born, Scottish based stand-up best known for playing Annie McInnes in Scot Squad, who was named best newcomer at the 2019 Scottish comedy awards and has made several appearances on BBC Radio Scotland's Breaking The News. Amy performs her 2023 fringe hit I feel like I’m made of Spiders at Monkey Barrel on February 25. | Flick Morris PR Photo: Flick Morris PR