What is "cowgatehead"

Cowgatehead is the name given to a multi-storey building situated on Cowgate, Edinburgh, Scotland, which is used each August as a venue complex for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's largest open access festival.

The building is currently operated during the Fringe by Peter Buckley-Hill as part of his Free Fringe programme. However, the building was the subject of controversy during the 2015 Fringe when Buckley-Hill and Freestival, previous operators of the building, clashed over who had contractual rights to programme the venue. The situation was eventually resolved in Buckley-Hill's favour, although the controversy, referred to as "Cowgateheadgate", left many comedians without a venue for the Fringe, and out-of-pocket for costs already incurred.

Performers to have appeared at the venue included Viv Groskop and Miranda Hennessy.