So, you've been told that your next event is going to be held at meeting rooms Edinburgh but what do you need to know about this city? Edinburgh is a city with a population of half a million, and which is situated on the banks of the Firth of Forth in Scotland. It is one of the busiest conference centres in the UK, after London, as it is not only the centre for business in Scotland but also an important financial centre as well. It is actually home to some of the key players in the financial sector, including Baillie Gifford, HSBC, and The Prudential. The region of Scotland that Edinburgh sits within is also a leading science and technology centre - centred on the BioQuarter life sciences hub and the Edinburgh Science Triangle. The Edinburgh BioQuarter is a leading destination for ground breaking medical research, healthcare delivery, and life sciences innovation and entrepreneurship. The Edinburgh Science Triangle which focuses around the Midlothian Science Zone, is the place where Dolly the Sheep was cloned, which makes sense when you realise it is the location of choice for AgriTech, animal and veterinary science, and life science companies. Edinburgh is also a centre for tourism in Scotland, boosted not only by the Edinburgh International Festival which runs throughout August, and is backed up by The Edinburgh Fringe Festival (based around comedy, music and theatre). Winter is also a great time to head to Edinburgh as the Scots tend to go all out for New Year, which they call Hogmanay. In fact, this year's Hogmanay celebration features Mark Ronson as the headline act, and there is also going to be a street party as well! Travelling to Edinburgh If you are heading to one of the many UK conferences that are held in Edinburgh then you will be pleased to know that it is easy to get there. In fact, five airlines offer flights to Edinburgh from various cities within the UK. Edinburgh airport is only 6 miles from the centre, and has recently been refurbished. If you decide to fly to Edinburgh Airport, you can catch a bus from there to the centre - it will take about half an hour on the express bus and cost around 4.50 pounds or you can catch the number 35 for around 1.50 pounds and this will take you on an hour long journey through the local area. There is also a tram system in Edinburgh, which runs from the airport to the city centre and costs around 5 pounds for a 35-minute journey. The airport also hosts two taxi ranks - one for black cabs and one for private hire cabs and your fare will depend on where you are going in the city. Your other option is to hire a car. Edinburgh Airport is serviced by ten car hire brand including Avis, Enterprise and Thrifty. If you are planning on staying on after your conference to explore the area then this may be a good idea. What to do in Edinburgh Hopefully when you are attending your conference or event in Edinburgh you will have some spare time to explore the city - because there is so much to see and do. Here are some of our favourite things to do there: - Blow away the cobwebs. Even though Edinburgh is a city, there are still lots of ways for you to connect with nature. For example, one of the most iconic things you can do in Edinburgh is to walk up to the top of Arthur's Seat - an extinct Volcano that sits high above the Palace of Holyrood House. If you do make it to the top your reward will be views of the city that are second to none, and you can then amble down the other side for a refreshing pint or glass of wine in the oldest pub in Scotland. - Delve into Scottish History. Take a walk to Greyfriars Kirkyard to see where JK Rowling got her inspiration for the setting for her Harry Potter stories or visit Edinburgh Castle. Spend an hour or two at the National Museum of Scotland, or Surgeon's Hall museum, or just stroll down the Royal Mile to get an idea of what it was like to live here in Medieval times. - Dine like a King. There is a fantastic dining scene in Edinburgh, and no it is not all Haggis and deep-fried Mars Bars! If the weather is good head to George Street and dine al fresco, or you could head up to Harvey Nichol's Fourth Floor restaurant for some excellent views. There are lots of great street food stalls around as well, selling great cheap eats, and there is even Michelin starred dining available if you fancy splashing out. Whether you are thinking of Edinburgh or somewhere else for your next conferences in UK the team at Conferences UK are here to help you find the perfect venue.