Edinburgh's 12 major arts and cultural festivals were worth £261m to the Scottish economy last year, according to a new report commissioned by Festivals Forum.

Creative Scotland; the Scottish Government; the City of Edinburgh Council; EventScotland; and Scottish Enterprise helped fund the study, which was compiled by BOP Consulting. The Edinburgh Festivals Impact Study - shaped by 15,000 survey responses from a year-long period - examined the economic and social benefits of the events on the city.

More than four fifths (82 per cent) of visitors said that the 12 festivals were an important - if not the sole - reason for travelling to Scotland. A similar figure agreed that the festivals made them more likely to revisit Edinburgh again, while 93 per cent said the events were what helped make the city special.

Lady Susan Rice, chair of the Festivals Forum, said: "Edinburgh's Festivals are a cultural phenomenon, celebrated globally and treasured locally. "In a competitive tourism market and shifting economic climate, this study will be essential in helping us identify the best ways to ensure the Festivals flourish for generations to come."