Our venues are where science comes to life!
Edinburgh Science Festival 2025 takes place in around 25 venues across the city, including the City Art Centre, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Zoo, National Museum of Scotland, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and The University of Edinburgh.
Visit our Access page for addition accessibility information, or contact our box office via email boxoffice@scifest.co.uk or phone us on 0131 553 0320.
Festival Venues
From historic theatres in Edinburgh to large stages and hidden gems, our venues set the scene for unforgettable performances and experiences.
Archerfield Walled Garden
Archerfield Walled Gardens are made up of different areas to be enjoyed including a Rose Garden, Perennial Meadow, Wildlife Area, Potager, Cut Flower Beds, Perennial Vegetables, Propagation Tunnel and Light & Dark Borders.
- Many paths are wheelchair accessible however some have uneven terrain
- Entrances have double doors
- Blue badge parking
- Accessible toilet
Archerfield Walled Garden Archerfield Estate, Dirleton EH39 5HQ, United Kingdom
Assembly Roxy
The Snug – An intimate venue located in the basement of Roxy theatre.
- There is no level access
- There are 18 steps down into the venue
Bayes Centre – The University of Edinburgh
The Bayes Centre is gateway to the University of Edinburgh for business and entrepreneurship.
- Step free entrance
- Lift access to all levels
- Access toilet on the ground floor
City Art Centre
Located in the heart of Edinburgh close to Waverley train station, the City Art Centre’s aim is to champion historic and contemporary Scottish visual and applied arts.
- Entrance has level access
- Lift to all levels
- One accessible toilet at ground floor
Dynamic Earth
Dynamic Earth is Edinburgh’s science centre and planetarium that tells the extraordinary story of planet Earth, from beginning to mend.
- There is lift access to all levels
- Accessible toilet is located on level 2
- Sensory backpacks available
- On-site car park
Edinburgh Futures Institute – The University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh has transformed the iconic, category-A listed Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh into Edinburgh Futures Institute, a space for multidisciplinary collaboration, data-led innovation, education, research, and partnership.
The Futures Institute occupies the restored 20,000m2 space which includes state-of-the-art teaching facilities, rooms for co-working with industry partners, incubation areas for businesses, labs for innovation and prototyping, and exhibition and performance spaces.
Edinburgh Zoo
Edinburgh Zoo is a world-renowned wildlife conservation park located in Edinburgh, Scotland, just three miles west of the city centre.
- Mobility vehicle and wheelchair access available
- Changing Places facility, close to Penguins Rock
- Accessible toilets around the site
- Blue Badge parking
- Sensory backpacks
Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine Rd, Corstorphine, Edinburgh EH12 6TS, UK
Gordon Aikman Theatre – The University of Edinburgh
Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre is a long established festival venue situated on the edge of an elegant Georgian garden in the heart of the university campus.
- Lift from foyer to venue
- Access bathroom in lower ground floor
- The venue has a hearing loop
The Grassmarket Centre
The Grassmarket Centre is an architectural, award-winning, city-centre location and social enterprise. Nestled at the foot of Candlemaker Row, the Centre marries the historical Greyfriars Kirkhouse with a light and spacious, modern venue.
- Level access
- Accessible toilet
Holyrood Campus – The University of Edinburgh
The Holyrood Campus is located just off the historic Royal Mile (Canongate) and is within easy walking distance of the Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace.
Inspace – The University of Edinburgh
Inspace is part of the Institute for Design Informatics and is a collaborative hub, commissioning and producing creative activity. Our public programme connects data, research and creative talent.
McEwan Hall – The University of Edinburgh
The newly restored McEwan Hall is the magnificent home of the University graduation ceremonies and flagship lectures. It is the perfect place to put on an unforgettable event.
- Only the stalls are accessible to wheelchair users as it is level access
- There is lift access to all levels
- The venue has a hearing loop
- Access toilets are on the ground and basement levels
The National Museum of Flight
The National Museum of Flight is home to Scotland’s only Concorde.
Climb aboard to discover what transatlantic flight was like for passengers and crew and learn about the legacy of this iconic aircraft. Before or after boarding Concorde herself, take a trip through the Concorde Experience exhibition to discover the story of supersonic flight.
National Museum of Scotland
Discover the story of National Museums Scotland, from our 18th century beginnings to the present day.
- All levels accessible via lifts or ramps
- Changing places toilet on ground level
- Accessible toilets on all floors
- Hearing loop in auditorium and information desk
- Sensory backpacks available
Chambers Street,
Edinburgh,
EH1 1JF
Please note events after 5pm access is:
Lothian Street,
EH1 1HB
The National Robotarium – Heriot-Watt University
Its bespoke facility spans 40,000sq ft and is home to three distinct areas of research and development; Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS), Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), and Precision Laser Applications (PLA), providing a range of labs, offices and flexible spaces for science, engineering and industry to work collaboratively under one roof.
Old College Quad – The Edinburgh University
Edinburgh University was founded in 1582 at the site occupied by Old College Quadrangle. The original buildings were destroyed 200 hundred years later, making room for the splendid buildings that you see now around the immaculately kept carpet of grass.
Nestled in the centre of the University campus is the stunning Old College Quad – an elegant outdoor location within the grounds of the Old College, the most iconic building in the University estate. The A-listed building is always a popular backdrop for filming throughout the year.
Playfair Library Hall – Old College
When William Playfair was commissioned to complete unfinished university buildings in 1817, the stunning barrel-vaulted neoclassical ceiling of the 190-ft library hall was his masterpiece.
Located within the Old College quadrangle, the stunning library now provides space to host up to 250 delegates theatre-style, 200 dinner guests or a reception for 450 people. The ground floor of the Old College contains four additional event rooms, making it suitable for meetings, large presentations, conferences, exclusive dinners, and celebrations.
Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-renowned centre for plant science and education, aiming to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants for a better future.
- Accessible toilets in visitor centre, restaurants and in Garden
- Mobility scooters and wheelchairs available
- Seating at regular intervals throughout Garden
- Hearing loops are located at our welcome points
John Hope Gateway (West End)
7 Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NY, United Kingdom
Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh
The Royal Society of Edinburgh
Beneath its distinctive copper green dome in the centre of Edinburgh sits the RSE – the Royal Society of Edinburgh – Scotland’s National Academy. The RSE offers a choice of resplendent rooms with an ambience to spark the imagination.
- Small and large lift access all levels
- Accessible toilets
- Step-free access to these rooms – James Clerk Maxwell, Upper Gallery, and Wolfson Lecture Theatre
- Sensory backpacks
Scottish Parliament Building
This venue is part of Edinburgh’s Veterinary History – an outdoor walking tour.
Starting at the Scottish Parliament and ending at Summerhall.
Edinburgh EH8 8BZ, United Kingdom
Scottish Poetry Library
The Scottish Poetry Library is a unique national resource and advocate for the art of poetry, and Scottish poetry in particular. We are passionately committed to bringing the pleasures and benefits of poetry to as wide an audience as possible.
- Step free entrance
- Portable hearing loop available
- Lift to all levels
- Accessible toilet on basement level
St Giles’ Cathedral
St Giles’ Cathedral, founded in 1124 by King David I, has been a working church for almost 900 years. A backdrop to Scotland’s turbulent religious history, it has seen the seeds of civil war sown and been John Knox’s parish church during the Reformation.
- Ramp exterior to the building
- Ramp interior to access the main venue
- The nearest accessible bathrooms are in the National Library Scotland
