Should I host my corporate event in Edinburgh?

With centuries-old castles, cobbled streets, mediaeval architecture, stunning views and a bustling culture and arts scene, Edinburgh is one of Europe’s must-see cities. But, is it a good destination for corporate events? 

Having planned and delivered an event in Edinburgh this year, we wanted to share our insights. In this article, we'll explore what makes the capital city a contender for your destination events, what the challenges might be in this region and highlight some things you might not know to consider when planning a corporate event in Edinburgh.

Location, Location, Location! 

Let’s start by stating the obvious, your selected destination should be easily accessible - because if delegates can’t get there (or get there easily) then the event has failed at the first hurdle. 

So how accessible is Edinburgh? 

Generally, we rank it very well. It has an international airport and once guests arrive the city is only 20 minutes away by tram (sustainability thumbs up for electric trams too). You can fly direct from many European airports, as well as some places in the US, Canada and the Middle East.  

Although Edinburgh is Scotland’s busiest airport, there is also the option of flying into Glasgow Airport, which may be more accessible from some locations. Once in Glasgow, Edinburgh can be reached by train in circa 30 minutes. 

In terms of getting around, Edinburgh has good public transportation with regularly running trams and buses. Many people, though, choose to walk around the city since everything is compact and there’s so much to see on foot.  

Bear in mind though that Edinburgh is a hilly city and there are areas of cobblestone which may not be accessible for all. So, for group excursions that require everyone to keep the pace up, or for evening entertainment where delegates may be in heels, you might consider public or private transportation. 

Our delegates in Edinburgh were delighted with how easy it was to get from one activity or event to another by foot. Remember though, it is Scotland so there’s a fair chance you’ll get rained on.

Accommodation and venues for events in Edinburgh 

Being a bustling capital city, Edinburgh has many options in terms of accommodation and venues for events. The main challenge though was cost. It’s a popular place to visit so it doesn’t come cheap to stay here. You’ll struggle to find any rooms for under £200 and in luxury hotels you can expect to pay £300-500 per room. However, if you’re using an events agency such as Dynamic Events, negotiation power on group bookings is often stronger and preferential rates can lower costs. 

Part of Edinburgh’s charm is its historic architecture. These are beautiful places to stay of course, but the rooms can be on the small side. When booking accommodation in a city like Edinburgh, be mindful that accommodation may not be large. Listed buildings can struggle to deliver modern extravagances but these boutique Edinburgh hotels pulse with old-town allure and the service is always super friendly.

Another must-know when it comes to booking both accommodation and venues in Edinburgh is that there's a lot going on here, especially in the summer months when Edinburgh festival is in full swing, so early booking is essential. You should be looking to secure venues and accommodation at least a year in advance.  

A huge benefit to hosting corporate events in Edinburgh though is the choice of venues. So long as you are booking in advance, there are conference venues, hotels, university halls, stadiums and many places to choose from. For large events, you have the Royal College Of Physicians with a number of diverse spaces. There’s also Bamburgh Castle and many other historic buildings as well as a number of hotels and unique spaces.  

Venues in many cities have preferred supplier lists. However, in Edinburgh, venues seem to have relationships with entertainment, decor and catering companies that go back years. This can make putting together an event far easier as trusted partnerships are already in place and we were given a comprehensive and personal run-through of all our options.

Food and corporate activities in Edinburgh

The food in Edinburgh is of a high standard and prices are reasonable. This is not a city for cheap dining but the food is lovely and special dietary requirements can usually be accommodated. As a welcoming and friendly city, all of the suppliers and establishments we worked with were very keen to go above and beyond for us. 

We also found Edinburgh an amazing place to immerse the party in Scottish culture and traditions. Activities were also reasonably priced and there were many to choose from. Personally, we recommend a walking tour as the views are incredible and there is much history to be absorbed, especially in the Old Town. We found the Underground Vaults Walking Tour particularly memorable. 

Whiskey experiences are also popular and Edinburgh is one of the best places to visit for those who enjoy golf. With 21 golf courses accessible from the city, this is a natural home for companies wanting to incorporate golfing activities into the events programme. Alternatively, if your delegates prefer to experience nature without the sport, Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh offers 72 acres of tended natural beauty right in the heart of the city. 

Nearby Leith is also worthy of a visit as a trendy neighbourhood that enjoys proximity to the city whilst being a port-side town with its own cultural identity. 

Other considerations for events in Edinburgh 

Scheduling corporate events in Edinburgh

Scheduling is something to be very mindful of if planning a destination event in Edinburgh. July and August are not worth considering as Edinburgh Fringe Festival takes over the city and finding accommodation and venues will be near impossible. Shoulder seasons September to October and April to May are far better times to be hosting both smaller and larger corporate events in the city. 

Weather 

Well, we almost got to the end only mentioning the rain once! The truth is, the weather in Edinburgh can shift quite quickly so it’s important to be prepared. We advised delegates to dress in layers so they could become climate chameleons and we brought umbrellas with us wherever we went. It’s not always raining though – the weather can shift from drizzle to clear skies in minutes. We were lucky, hardly getting any rainfall when we were there, but this did mean we weren’t as prepared for the warmer weather we got.

Before the event, we advised our clients and their delegates to bring comfortable shoes and we were also really pleased to have encouraged them to bring cameras because it really was a breathtaking place in terms of views.

Is Edinburgh a good location for corporate events? 

Absolutely. We loved both the planning stages of our Edinburgh event and we loved being there. Partners and suppliers couldn’t do enough for us and were a pleasure to work with. The delegates had a great time and were very impressed with the agenda the city enabled us to plan out for everyone. With a party of around 150, we were just about able to meet the dinner caps for castle venues but if the group had been larger, other options were also available.

Although Event Manager Ellen is an Edinburgh expert, having attended university in the city, it was a first time in Edinburgh for our Event Assistant, Harry West, who summed up his thoughts on Edinburgh as follows:  

“The city has a cosy charm and the people were just so friendly and nice.
Edinburgh totally won me over.” 

Are you considering planning a corporate event in Edinburgh? Get in touch today and speak to one of our Global Event Managers to find out how we can help make your event unforgettable.