Fire Devastates The Gilded Balloon

On 7th December 2002 a fire on the Cowgate destroyed part of the heart of Edinburgh’s old town, including the Gilded Balloon. The fire started at about 8:15pm at the back of the labyrinth of buildings that formed the Cowgate and the Gilded Balloon.

Although the fire brigade arrived within minutes of smoke being spotted, the fire took hold in a void of the building. Described by a fire fighter as ferocious, the fire quickly spread towards the South Bridge and into the area of the La Belle Angele club before finally consuming the Gilded Balloon offices.

The fire burned for three days and a total of eleven buildings were destroyed in one of the worst fires in Edinburgh's history.

The loss is devastating. We have lost all of our records and our entire collection of memorabilia. Photographs, videos, awards and letters from artists and customers covering the seventeen glorious years of Edinburgh’s home of Comedy have all gone.

However in 2008 we are still continuing to rebuild our archives. We are appealing to anyone who may have any photographs, posters, programmes or anything that’s connected with the Gilded Balloon that you could bear to part with. Please get in touch by using our contact form or emailing admin@gildedballoon.co.uk

The Gilded Balloon will continue. We will not be beaten.

The messages of support that we received were overwhelming, and I would like to thank everybody for their good wishes and interest in the Gilded Balloon at that difficult time.

Karen Koren