![Graphic mashup - Calton Hill, Edinburgh-8002418 [Chris Close]](/files/styles/large_16x9/public/2023-03/SummerSchool_Header_1.png?itok=lrqqI_BO)
The venue of the Summer School is centrally located, close to the main attractions of the city. It is easily accessible through public transport, and a wide range of accommodation is available in the vicinity.
Here's a short guide to help you plan and enjoy your stay in Edinburgh!
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | |
| 09:00-09:30 | Registration | ||||
| 09:30-09:40 | Welcome | Setting Up | Setting Up | Setting Up | Setting Up |
| 09:40-10:40 | Seminar | Seminar | Seminar | Seminar | Seminar |
| 10:40-11:00 | Coffee | Coffee | Coffee | Coffee | Coffee |
| 11:00-12:30 | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Teaching Block |
| 12:30-13:30 | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 13:30-15:00 | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Teaching Block |
| 15:00-15:30 | Coffee | Coffee | Coffee | Coffee | Coffee |
| 15:30-17:00 | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Teaching Block | Keynote | Teaching Block |
| Evening | Pub Quiz | Pub Crawl | Ceilidh | Drinks Reception | Dinner |
Start the week off by testing your knowledge of current events, geography, music, history, and sports in a pub quiz at the Gallery Bar in Summerhall. A range of prizes are available and Summerhalll also offers a fine selection of food and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Time: 18:30 - 22:00
Entry to the pub quiz is free (space permitting). Food and drink is available at attendee's own expense.
Join us on Tuesday evening for a tour of some of our favourite historic pubs around the centre of Edinburgh. STOPS TBC.
Each venue serves both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.
Time: 20:00 - 22:00
The tour is free but drinks are purchased at attendee's own expense.
Celebrate the halfway point of the Summer School with a night of incredible folk music and dancing at our ceilidh. No prior experience of ceilidh dancing is necessary and a caller will walk you through the moves at the start of each dance.
Time: 20:00 - 22:00
Attendance is free, although drinks from the venue bar are bought at attendee's own expense.
After the conclusion of Thursday's keynote lecture, we will move to the Counting House on West Nicholson Street for a drinks reception. This is a great chance to meet and socialise with fellow Summer School attendees from both streams, alongside your lecturers and instructors in an informal setting.
Time: 18:00 - 20:00
Attendance is free and includes two complementary drinks and a food buffet.
As the Summer School draws to a close, celebrate your achievements over dinner at Pizza Posto on Nicholson Street. Their award winning Neapolitan style pizzas are among some of the best in Edinburgh, offering a wide selection of toppings (including vegan and vegetarian).
Time: 20:15 - 22:00
The Summer School dinner is paid for at attendee's own expense.
Lunches, mid-morning and mid-afternoon Coffee Breaks will be provided for the whole duration of the Summer School. Upon acceptance of your application, please indicate if you have any food allergies or dietary requirements that we should take into account.
If you need an extra dose of caffeine, or some treats, our recommendations would be: Uplands Roast, Considerit Chocolate, Söderberg The Meadows, Black Medicine Coffee Co, Rudi, Press Coffee.
The Central Campus area offers plenty of dining options, from quick bites to more relaxed meals.
Our recommended restaurants are: Ting Thai Caravan, El Cartel, Mother India’s Café, City Restaurant, Mosque Kitchen, Pizza Posto, 10 to 10 in Delhi, Maki & Ramen, Café Andaluz, Erbil.
Our favourite pubs around the campus are: Doctor’s Pub, The Pear Tree, The Dagda Bar, The Dog House, Bennet’s Bar, The Devil’s Advocate, The Ensign Ewart, Cloisters Bar, Captain’s Bar, Paradise Palms.
As the Summer School venue is in a very central area, there is a wide range of accommodation available. Hotels, bed and breakfasts, vacation apartments and hostels can be booked through Booking or Airbnb.
Since the programme takes place outside term time, you may also want to check the accommodation facilities offered by the University of Edinburgh. Most University accommodation is located just to the east and the south of the Central Campus area. For more details, visit this website.
If you are travelling to Edinburgh, you may wish to stay longer to visit the city. With classes finishing around 5.15pm, there will also be opportunities to visit attractions in the evenings.
The Central Campus is just a 10-minute walk to Edinburgh Castle, and only a 5-minute one to the National Museum of Scotland. In 15 minutes you will reach the National Gallery of Scotland and Princes Street. After a slightly longer walk you can climb on Arthur’s Seat or visit the Palace of Holyrood House.
Reaching Edinburgh by train is straightforward, with the main rail hub (Edinburgh Waverley) located right at the heart of the city and only a 15-minute walk to the Summer School venue.
Average journey times from other cities are:
The main companies operating in Edinburgh Waverley are LNER, ScotRail, Caledonian Sleeper, Avanti West Coast, CrossCountry and Transpennine Express.
Classes will take place in the Central Campus of the University of Edinburgh, an area which is well connected to a reliable public transport network.
You can either get:
A route planner is available on this website.
If you decide to travel to Edinburgh by bus, there are plenty of affordable options.
Coach companies operating to and from the city include:
The coach station is located in St Andrews Square (26 Elder St.), very close to Princes Street and right in the city centre. From there, it is a 20 minute walk to reach the Summer School Venue.
As of March 2022, the government formally removed all Covid restrictions in the UK. We ask that you continue to be considerate of others’ personal space, and please do not attend if you feel unwell or have any Covid symptoms.
We are committed to providing the safest environment possible for our attendees. Ventilation will be ensured in the rooms used, surfaces will be regularly sanitised by our staff and hand hygiene facilities will be supplied. The use of face coverings is no longer required by law in Scotland, but it is strongly recommended in indoor places.
If you have any accessibility requirements, please contact the organisers in advance so that we can put any necessary measures in place. The Summer School venue and that of the Ceilidh night are both wheelchair accessible.
