coverings will still be mandatory in shops and on public transport. the welsh government has warned that the lifting of restrictions shouldn't be seen as a "free—for—all". the edinburgh festival fringe kicks off today, with the city preparing to welcome visitors as part of a month—long showcase of festivals. events were cancelled last year because of the pandemic. bbc scotland's arts correspondent pauline mclean is in edinburgh. what sort of summer is shaping up to be, pauline? what sort of summer is shaping up to be. pauline?— be, pauline? well, it is quite interesting. _ be, pauline? well, it is quite interesting, i— be, pauline? well, it is quite interesting, ithink_ be, pauline? well, it is quite interesting, i think is -- i be, pauline? well, it is quite interesting, i think is -- this| be, pauline? well, it is quite i interesting, i think is -- this is interesting, i think is —— this is the moment many of us didn't really expect to see and there is a real kind of excitement and emotion about the festival is coming back. they are much, much smaller than in previous years, there has been a lot of last minute changing around, people couldn't plan, we didn't know until earlier in the weekjust how many people could be in places. but as you can see in this venue, one of many which has sprung up as part of the fringe, they are using outdoor spaces, making most of the venues they already have. the fringe was