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City Information
The Edinburgh International Convention Center is a state-of-the-arts facility.
Located in Center City with views of the Edinburgh Castle, the Center has been
the host cite for many world famous events.
Edinburgh International Convention Center
The Exchange
Edinburgh EH3 8EE
Scotland
Tel: +44 (0) 131 300 3000
Fax: +44 (0) 131 519 4060
Make the Most of Your Visit to Edinburgh by Visiting
Some of These Top City Areas
Old Town
With a fascinating history that’s impossible to ignore, every one of the tightly
packed buildings in the Old Town has earned its place in history. The Royal
Mile makes up the main spine of the area, running from Edinburgh Castle at
the top to the Palace of Holyroodhouse and Scottish Parliament at its foot,
surrounded by steeply sloping streets and mysterious wynds. By the 18th Century
the cramped conditions of the High Street had prompted the need for expansion,
and saw plans for a New Town come together.
New Town
In 1766 a competition for the best architectural scheme for the proposed
New Town was held. Six plans were considered, and James Craig's scheme
was chosen. The elegant Georgian architecture this involved now provides
the
backdrop to a number of equally stylish shops, bars and restaurants. Although
nowadays Princes Street is commonly regarded as the main street of this
scheme, George Street was the backbone of the plan; it was built, at 100
feet wide, 20 feet wider than either Princes Street or Queen Street.
West End
Perfect for boutique shopping and plenty of eating and drinking options,
the cobbled streets of the West End are only a few minutes walk from Princes
Street. Two of the best for retail indulgence are William Street and Stafford
Street with a number of independent stores offering everything from interiors
to exclusive designer clothes, quirky jewellery and vintage eveningwear.
Grassmarket
Once a medieval market place and site for public executions, the area
is now known for eating, drinking and independent shops all in the shadow
of
Edinburgh Castle. Executions ceased in the Grassmarket in 1784 but names
of some of the area's pubs reflect its bloody history, such as The Last
Drop and Maggie Dickson's. Now its cobbled streets, traditional buildings
and quirky shops, pubs and restaurants make the Grassmarket a magnet for
visitors.
Leith
Edinburgh’s city quarter by the sea is a great place for eating, drinking
and shopping. It is also home to The Royal Yacht Britannia. Only ten minutes
from Edinburgh's city centre, historical Leith is full of cultural influence
and historical architecture yet calm with waterfront serenity. The area
bustles
with restaurants, bars, bistros and boutiques and includes the stylish
Ocean Terminal shopping complex. Browse the shops, take a walking tour,
search for
your favourite Scotch whisky or indulge your passion for fashion. www.visitleith.org
| City Highlights
| City Views
| Top Activities |
| Top Beaches
| Top Walks
| Escape From the City |
FACTS ABOUT EDINBURGH:
Edinburgh Convention Bureau
Population
Scotland: 5,114,600
Edinburgh: 457,830 (June 2005)
Banking
Bank opening hours vary according to banks the following times are given
as an indication
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 0900 - 1700
Wednesday 1000 - 1700
Saturday 0900 - 1200
Electricity
British electrical standards are 50Hz 230 volts, so some North American
and European electrical devices may require converters. All will require
plug adapters.
Emergency Services
The telephone number for emergency services in the UK is 999.
Government
Scotland is part of Great Britain and plays a full part in its parliamentary
democracy. The Scottish parliament is based in Edinburgh, with authority
over education, law, and some social services within the country. Great
Britain is a member of the European Union.
Smoking
There is a ban on smoking in all enclosed public places throughout Scotland
(since April 2006).
Tax
There is no bed tax. Value Added Tax (VAT) is charged on all purchases in
shops, hotels, and restaurants at a rate of 17.5%. There are no other taxes
on purchases.
Save Money On Your Event Expenses. Reclaim the 17.5% Tax.
People travelling to Scotland on business may be entitled to reclaim the
17.5% tax charged on event expenses as well as accommodation, business entertaining,
meals, transport and much more. Their partner Tax Back International can
assist
you, register for more information at Tax
Back International Web site or call +353 1 878 3361. Just send your original invoices and Tax Back
International will process your claim. Terms & Conditions Apply.
The Truth About the Weather
5 day Weather Forecast
Edinburgh enjoys a moderate year-round climate, with none of the violent
extremes of weather, which could interrupt a meeting schedule or social
calendar.
From April to September, temperatures are mild and compare favourably
with other European cities; annual rainfall is the same as Frankfurt,
New York
and Rome.
A perfect Edinburgh day dawns with a clear blue sky, warm and pleasant
in summer - though in winter often accompanied by a sharp frost. It's
always
worth packing a sweater against the chance of changeable conditions.
Did You Know:
Eating out
Edinburgh has more restaurants per head of population than anywhere else
in Britain, with everything from African and American, Italian and Indian,
Mexican and Mongolian, Thai and Turkish to, of course, traditional and
modern Scottish food using the best local produce from Scotland's natural
larder smoked
salmon, venison, seafood, cheeses, oatcakes and soft fruits being particularly
popular!
Shopping
Shopping in Edinburgh is a wonderful eclectic experience, which encompasses
the magnificent Georgian splendour of the internationally renowned department
store, Jenners to the contemporary and stylish Harvey Nichols as well
as designer
boutiques and curiosity shops tucked away in quiet hidden streets.
Haste ye back!
With such a unique blend of traditional and modern it is not surprising
that recent delegate research found that over 60% of delegates who visit
the city on business intend to return as a leisure visitor within two
or three years. Not only is there always a lot to explore and experience
in
Edinburgh, it also acts as the gateway to the rest of Scotland's breathtakingly
beautiful countryside.
Housing Information:
Edinburgh Convention Bureau is holding allocations and has negotiated
rates with selected hotels with Edinburgh City Centre, these allocations
and rates
will be held until the August 6, 2007. If you wish to make a hotel reservation
after this date, please contact The CABS Accommodation Team within Edinburgh
Convention Bureau on +44 131 473 3874 or email
bookings@conventionedinburgh.com.
Edinburgh City Guide and Local Area Guide from the Official Tourist Board
www.edinburgh.org
With streets steeped in history and a thriving cultural scene, Edinburgh
offers the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary.
The UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of the city combines the medieval
Old Town, the Georgian New Town and award winning modern architecture.
You’ll
see views that make for perfect picture postcards, mysterious winding streets,
elegant terraces and an abundance of shops, bars and restaurants.
To help you decide what to take in on your visit, we've compiled our top
City Experiences outlining the best places to go, views to take in and
the must-do city experiences - choose from our listings on the right.
The Lothians region consists of East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian
where you can discover tales of Scotland’s past. Stately homes, dramatic castles and medieval chapels all provide a sense of Scotland’s
impressive history.
The area has many historic towns and scenic villages, which are great for
exploring. From award winning beaches, championship golf courses and some
of Scotland’s
most impressive visitor attractions the Lothians offer plenty of things to
see and do.
To help get the most from your visit, check out our area highlights from
the listings on the right.
Attractions
| Eating and Dining
| Shopping
| Entertaining |
| Sports
| Sightingseeing and Tours |
|
General Information