We look forward to welcoming you to Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of Scotland and a multi award-winning city with a strong reputation as one of the most attractive destinations in the world, with an ideal mix of culture, shopping, dining, music, heritage and leisure activities.
Our vibrant capital is steeped in history; seamlessly blending an architecturally stunning backdrop with modern developments. You may want to extend your stay to explore the atmospheric streets of the Old Town and the elegant Georgian architecture of the New Town; to visit famous historic sites such as Edinburgh Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse; to browse in wonderful museums, art galleries and shops; and to relax in some of the city’s excellent restaurants, bars and cafés.
Forever Edinburgh is a hub of all the best things to do, see, and enjoy in the city. You’ll find great days out and get the inside details on the best little-known places waiting to be discovered.
Edinburgh is also the gateway to the Scottish Highlands, so this is a perfect opportunity for you to extend your visit and discover Scotland. Explore beautiful and inspiring views of ancient landscapes with a fascinating history. Witness the amazing wildlife and take part in some thrilling outdoor pursuits. Explore the many mountains and glens, the stunning islands and stretches of coastline and follow the country’s only Malt Whisky Trail.
More information on Edinburgh can be found at Visit Scotland.
Travel to Edinburgh
Air
Edinburgh boasts an international airport with flights from North America and many European and UK destinations, Taxi, tram and bus links connect the airport to the city centre with a journey time of 25-30 minutes.
Rail
Edinburgh stations are linked to all the UK's major cities and airports. A high-speed link from London takes just over four hours.
Taxi
Fares vary according to the time of day and traffic, but a typical fare from the airport to the School would be £30 with a journey time of 25-30 minutes.
Bus
Lothian buses run many routes from across the city to the central campus. A single ticket costs £1.80 and a day ticket is £4.50. An Airport Open Return journey to or from Edinburgh Airport on Airlink or Skylink costs £7.50 (adult fare).
Edinburgh Trams
Edinburgh Trams run approximately every 10 minutes from Edinburgh Airport to the city centre and port of Leith. A single ticket costs £1.80 and an Airport Open Return costs £9.00.
Things to do
Arthur's Seat
Holyrood Park is a short walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in the heart of the city. It is a 640-acre Royal Park adjacent to Holyrood Palace and overlooks Pollock Halls Campus. The park’s highest point is Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano, and sits 251m above sea level giving excellent view of the city; it is also the site of a large and well preserved fort. Within the park, you can also visit St Anthony’s Chapel, a 15th century medieval chapel; Salisbury Crags, a series of 150 foot cliff faces dominating Edinburgh’s skyline; as well as Duddingston Loch, a fresh water loch rich in birdlife.
Bus Tours
Choose from 4 different hop-on hop-off bus tours exploring Edinburgh and beyond. Sights include Edinburgh Castle, Calton Hill, the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Yacht Britannia, Old Town, New Town, and the three bridges.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of the most exciting historic sites in Western Europe. Set in the heart of Scotland’s dynamic capital city it is sure to capture your imagination. A trip to the Castle will take you through the key moments in Edinburgh’s rich history, including a visit to the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the Scottish National War Memorial. The Castle’s iconic setting and architecture make a great photo opportunity, not to mention unrivalled views from the city’s central spot.
Edinburgh Festivals
Edinburgh is a world famous festival city! Taking place before the conference, why not arrive early and participate in one of the Edinburgh Festivals.
National Museum of Scotland
The diverse collections will take you on a journey of discovery through the history of Scotland and around the world, taking in the wonders of nature, art, design and fashion, and science and technology, all under one roof. Entry to the museum is free, but some exhibitions are ticketed.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
Explore the Palace’s close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it’s used by The Crown when carrying out official engagements in Scotland. Take an audio tour of the palace, learning about its place in Scottish royal history, including a visit to the sumptuously decorated Morning Drawing Room, and the beautiful, wood-panelled chambers of Mary Queen of Scots, where she lived in the 1560s.
Real Mary King's Close
Imagine a warren of streets frozen in time, where centuries of stories are just waiting to be told. Discover authentic truths about Edinburgh’s dark past, and find out what it was really like for the people who lived, worked, and died on the Close.
Journey back in time and follow in the footsteps of former residents. Step down and explore the rooms, streets and spaces underneath the famous Royal Mile – a unique glimpse into the city’s past, and Edinburgh’s only preserved 17th century street.
Bookings must be made 24 hours before you visit.
Scotch Whisky Experience
Here you’ll find a range of tours which cater to everyone; from those with a budding interest in whisky, right through to the drinks professionals wanting to firm up their expertise on Scotland’s most famous product. Each tour includes time in the World’s Largest Collection of Scotch Whisky, which comprises 3,384 different bottles and has been described as “one of the seven wonders of the whisky world".