THE train from Glasgow to Edinburgh will be packed this week - and not just with the usual assortment of tartan-clad tourists and shop-til-they-drop spendaholics.

The best of the west's arts performers are deserting our fair city to take up residence in the capital, as festival fever hits town next week.

Our star turns and future hopes in comedy, theatre, dance, music, film and literature will be joining entertainers from all over the world for the Edinburgh International Festival, the Fringe, the Free Fringe and the Book and Film Festivals.

ANN FOTHERINGHAM rounds up our top ten - and highlights the best of the rest from the west!

NO HOLDS BARRED FUNNYMAN Frankie Boyle THE BEST OF THE REST: From art to drama, it's all here

The young acting stars of the future at Glasgow's own RSAMD will take to the stage at Venue 13 with Danger! (Mouse), which playfully questions the modern world of technology in an attempt to better understand it.

More established theatre group TAG performs Yellow Moon, David Greig's story of a small Scottish town, two teenagers, a murder and a quest for a place to hide, at the Traverse Theatre.

Jardins Publics, at the Edinburgh International Festival, is an exhibition of specially commissioned works by internationally renowned visual artists, including Glasgow-based Richard Wright.

Glasgow professor Michael Schmidt, a one-man celebration of poetry, will be reading at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, on August 14, while Glasgow School of Art graduate Eddie McConnell will be celebrated at the Film Festival with a selection of his short films.

The screenings will be followed by a Q&A session.

Glasgow artist John Kingsley will present Myth and Substance, a solo exhibition of semi-abstract paintings at the English-Speaking Union, while at the Green Room, author and NHS award-winner Elizabeth Roddick will show you how to reduce your biological age and add zest to your life.

Seven graduates from Motherwell College, who have set up Blue Pebble Theatre Company, will perform their debut production, Willy Russell's comedy Stags and Hens, at the Sweet ECA from August 5 to 12.

The group, all aged between 19 and 23, produced the play, built the set and raised the cash to take it to Edinburgh all by themselves.

For more information about all of Scotland's summer festivals visit www.visitscotland.com/liveit ALL ABOARD THE STARLIGHT EXPRESS: How to get there & get home again!

First ScotRail is adding extra carriages to its regular services and putting on extra late night and early morning trains during festival time.

The company is also running extra weekday trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow Queen Street.

For more info visit www.firstgroup.com/scotrail For information on Scottish Citylink bus services between Glasgow and Edinburgh - call 08705 505050 or visit www.citylink.co.uk

A man who takes no prisoners when it comes to cut-throat comedy, famous for his acerbic observations on BBC2 show Mock the Week, Frankie is back at the Fringe. His show is called Morons, I Can Heal You. Not for the faint-hearted... He's at the Assembly at George Street, from August 2 to 26.

CAMP, CUTE COMIC GENIUS Craig Hill The East Kilbride-born comedian, who is always a hit with Fringe fans, is back with what just might be his best show ever. Craig Hill will be Makin' a Big Song and Dance at the Assembly Universal Arts from August 2 to 27.

SINGING SENSATION IN THE MAKING Amy McDonald Glaswegian singer/songwriter Amy McDonald started gigging at just 15, and was signed by the time she was 17. Currently, she is enjoying a hit with single Mr Rock'n'Roll. She's at Cabaret Voltaire as part of T on the Fringe on August 15. Over 18s only.

UP AND COMING COMEDY STAR Keara Murphy Described as a Glaswegian Eddie Izzard, this motormouth comic apparently makes Ben Elton look shy and retiring. She's at the Outhouse from August 4 to 25, and at the Mercat Bar as part of The F Show, also from August 4 to 25, as part of the Free Fringe. Strong language and adult material. Over 18s only

GLASGOW'S TROUBADOUR Dick Gaughan Born in Glasgow, raised in Leith, toured the world ever since - Dick Gaughan is a respected and sought-after musician, whose songs manage to be soft and edgy at the same time. He is at the Acoustic Music Centre @ St Brides on August 24 and 25.

OUTSPOKEN CHAT SHOW HOST Tommy Sheridan Have fun with Scotland's most controversial figure as he talks to different special guests every day about campaigns and courtrooms, prison and politics. It runs from August 1 to 26 at Gilded Balloon Teviot.

INTERNET PHENOMENON Limmy Following his hugely successful World of Glasgow' podcast and record-breaking sell-out shows at the city's comedy festival, internet phenomenon Limmy presents his madcap mix of surreal sketches and daft videos.

He's at The Stand Comedy Club II from August 2 to 26.

DANCE DIVA Company Chordelia An extraordinary and funny work of dynamic dance-theatre by Glasgow choreographer and performer Kally Lloyd-Jones and Michael Popper. Devised around themes from the Hans Christian Andersen story and the Powell-Pressburger film, Red Shoes is quirky, darkly comedic and full of character. With dance, text and aerial flying, expect the unexpected from this one-woman miniature epic. It's suitable for the over-10s and is at Zoo Southside from August 19 to 27.

MOUTHY STAND-UP Janey Godley Once described as the most outspoken female comic in Britain, be prepared for the one-woman whirlwind that is foul-mouthed, opinionated, unstoppable Janey Godley.

She's at Pleasance Dome from August 1 to 27.

AMAZING AUTHOR Laura Marney Laura has swiftly become a bestselling Scottish novelist following the publication of her two books, No Wonder I Take a Drink and Nobody Loves a Ginger Baby; she also teaches on Glasgow University's Creative Writing course. She'll be sharing some tricks of the trade at the Book Festival's Writing Business on August 24.

RANTING COMEDIAN Raymond Mearns His first solo show at the Fringe will run from July 30 to August 26 at the Stand Comedy Club II, and it promises more of the kind of hilarious rantings which have made Raymond a solo hit in his home town of Glasgow, and as part of comedy group Dance Monkey Boy Dance.

GLASGOW'S WOODY ALLEN Mark Bratchpiece Once likened to the bespectacled filmmaker and comedian, Mark comes to the Fringe with his first solo show, which is absolutely not fit for all the family! The Bratchpiece Family Show, featuring Bratchy, Wee Man and Faither Mark, is at Underbelly's Smirnoff Baby Belly from August 2 to 26.