Perennial Scots folk-rockers The Proclaimers will get 2008's Festival off to an early start, belting out 500 Miles to an 8,000-strong crowd at Edinburgh Castle.  Tickets are now on sale for the mid-July event, which - for one night only - takes over the grandstand seating erected for the Military Tattoo.

Though the Proclaimers' one-off appearance isn't officially part of the Festival, it's bound to be seen as another extension of the performing season, which runs right through to the world-famous Festival Fireworks at the end of August.  For popular artists, sharing the Tattoo's open-air grandstands is proving an irresistible draw.  The Proclaimers follow in the footsteps of comedian Ricky Gervais, who last year played the Castle as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

One of Scotland's most recognisable and successful musical exports, The Proclaimers enjoyed a rampant 2007, thanks to their chart-topping charity version of 1988 hit I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).  It was an Indian summer, too, for the original version of the song, which re-entered the charts at a more-than-respectable number 26.  Before the charity single, the Proclaimers' greatest success had come with their 1987 lament on Scottish emigration, Letter From America.

The Proclaimers are at Edinburgh Castle on Saturday 19 July 2008.  Tickets £35.  Available from all major outlets, including Ticketmaster branches across Scotland and the UK.