The venue of the Summer School has a very central location, which is easily accessible through public transport, offers a wide range of accommodation possibilities and is also close to the main attractions of the city.
Here's a small guide to help you plan and enjoy your stay in Edinburgh at best!
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:
Aberdeen to Edinburgh – 2 hours 25 minutes (ca.)
Dundee to Edinburgh – 1 hour 20 minutes (ca.)
Glasgow to Edinburgh – 55 minutes (ca.)
London to Edinburgh – 4 hours 30 minutes (ca.)
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 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.
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.
Covid
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.
As regulations tend to change rapidly, please keep an eye on the official government website and on the dedicated webpage of the University of Edinburgh for more up-to-date information.
Accessibility
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.
