Edinburgh's world-famous festivals are calling for a bigger share of revenue from Scotland's new tourist tax, putting cultural funding back at the centre of debate.

The 5% visitor levy, introduced in Edinburgh in July, is expected to generate up to £50 million a year. Around 35% of the revenue has been earmarked for the cultural sector, but festival organisers argue that more funding should be directed towards events that attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.

The Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Fringe are among the city's biggest cultural attractions. Festival leaders say the events generate significant economic activity for hotels, restaurants, venues and other local businesses while strengthening Edinburgh's international cultural reputation.

Fringe representatives are seeking an annual grant of around £1.7 million, while concerns have also been raised about maintaining venues and supporting future programming.

The debate comes as Edinburgh continues to balance the benefits of mass tourism with pressure on local infrastructure.

For Scotland's cultural sector, the question is increasingly whether tourism revenue should translate into stronger long-term investment in the arts.