Conference Venues for Hire in Edinburgh

Your Guide to Hiring Conference Venues in Edinburgh

Edinburgh offers a bountiful supply of unique conference venues, as well as dozens of standard conference hotels able to suit your needs. In the lovely New Town area, dashing homes and alluring street art line the broad streets and spacious town squares – here you will find some of the more popular conference rooms available for rent. The Old Town is home to a vast, historically rich cityscape and is riddled with narrow alleys and centuries-old architecture. St Mary’s Street houses some great conference venues that are ideal for those looking to host their event in a place with rich aesthetic feel. However, a modern conference centre is never too far away in this city - The Edinburgh International Conference Centre on The Exchange is a popular conference host in Old Town.

Edinburgh has a deep stock of unique venues that could work as a terrific location for your conference. Some of these venues include full-on vintage theatres, meeting rooms within a castle, and brand new state-of-the-art conference facilities. Our list of Edinburgh conference venues is sure to cover everything you need; whether you are searching for a venue in Ingliston near Edinburgh Airport or you are looking for something more central near City Centre and Princes Street, you’ll find it all on this page! 

Use our helpful filters to sort the listed meeting venues by category and options; we’ve made it our goal to make your venue search quick and effortless! One of the most popular conference venue types to rent in Edinburgh are hotels with meeting rooms and conference spaces, this kind of venue offers a two-in-one for your event; all in attendance can stay at the hotel as needed, and your conference rooms will be right on site.

FAQs about Conference Venues in Edinburgh

How much does it cost to hire a conference venue in Edinburgh?

Hire fees for a conference venue in Edinburgh vary from £60 to £138+ per hour. Full buyouts range between £600 to £1200+ per session. If the venue offers in-house catering, it may be possible to hire on the basis of a minimum spend option which starts from as low as £150. A very popular hire option is booking the event on a per-person basis and event packages start at around £38 per delegate. (All data from Tagvenue.com)

How far in advance should I book a conference venue in Edinburgh?

We strongly advise booking your top-choice venue at least one year in advance to ensure you’ll have plenty of options to choose from. However, if you're planning a smaller event up to 100 guests, you can wait until six months prior to the event to start browsing for venues. By securing your venue early, you'll have ample time to focus on other crucial aspects of your conference planning. Just keep in mind that waiting until the last minute may limit your options, as the best venues are often fully booked well in advance.

Where can I find conference venues in Edinburgh?

Start your search in Edinburgh Old Town, which is a popular destination for any sort of conference and offers versatile offer of spaces. You can find there anything from historic and elegant venues that will add a ‘wow’ factor to your event, as well as impressive hotel venues with an upscale feel. Great conference centres are located in New Town, along Princes Street and Queen Street. 

Any tips for hosting a conference in Edinburgh?

Sure! Here are some great tips that make all the difference and will help you pull off a great event! 

1. Choose the right venue - Edinburgh has a variety of venues to choose from, ranging from historic buildings to modern conference centres. Consider the size of your event, budget, location, date and the type of atmosphere you want to create. These key elements will help you choose an ideal venue that meets your needs.
2. Plan ahead - Edinburgh is a popular destination for conferences and events, so it's important to plan ahead. Make sure you have all the time you need to organise everything from scratch. You’ll be less stressed out and more confident when the day of the conference comes!
3. Consider transportation - The city has excellent transportation links, including an international airport, train station, and bus station. Make sure to include all the essential information about transportation options in the invitations.
4. Promote your conference - Use different social media channels to promote your conference to potential attendees. You can also consider working with the local newspaper to hype up your event.
5. Explore local attractions - Edinburgh has many attractions, from historic landmarks to cultural experiences. Consider offering the out-of-town attendees the opportunity to explore the city through pre- and post-conference activities.
6. Consider serving food and drinks - If it’s a longer event, it’s best to have some sort of catering organised. Otherwise, your guests will be hungry and will be more engaged in the event. 
7. Create engaging content - Make sure your conference content is engaging and relevant to your attendees. Don’t prolong the event, and consider using interactive tools, to enhance the conference experience.