The global climate emergency forms a major backdrop to organising an international conference on ethical and social issues in food and agriculture. We posted these registration, accommodation and travel pages in the middle of COP26 climate negotiations here in Scotland.
Aware of our mutual responsibilities to work towards zero carbon emissions, may we humbly suggest that those of you who are in a position to do so, might consider two things:
Amsterdam, Paris, Brussels and Köln are all served by Eurostar connections to London St Pancras, which is 100 metres across the road from London Kings Cross, for a 4-5 hour fast train to Edinburgh Waverley. Trains go from Waverley to Glasgow in 50 minutes and to all other Scottish cities.
Caledonian Sleepers offer an overnight sleeper train from London Euston (approx 23:00) to Edinburgh (approx. 07:00) which is well recommended. For those on a limited budget it offers much cheaper seated accommodation.
Waverley Railway Station is absolutely central, sandwiched in the valley between Old and New Towns. An escalator takes you to Princes Street for most of Edinburgh’s buses and the tram. The airport bus stop is also next to the station, on Waverley Bridge. Haymarket station (5 minutes from Waverley on the Glasgow and Aberdeen lines) is a transport hub for west Edinburgh, including buses all over the city and tram and express buses to the airport.
Edinburgh is well served by an international airport with flights to many locations across Europe, with several budget as well as major international airlines. If you can’t find a direct flight, consider Glasgow airport (with an express bus link to Edinburgh) and Newcastle airport (metro link to Newcastle Central station for trains to Edinburgh Waverley in 2.5 hours). If you fly to any of the five London airports, consider taking a train onwards from Kings Cross to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh airport has a tram to Haymarket and Princes Street (until 22:45) in 40 mins, and the Airlink 100 bus service (24 hours) to Waverley station via Haymarket and Princes Street in 30 minutes. There are three other express bus services to different parts of the city. A taxi from the airport will cost around £25-30 to the centre.
Express buses connect Edinburgh with all other Scottish cities and south into England, including an overnight bus to London Victoria. Visit the National Express website.
DFDS run a daily overnight ferry from Amsterdam to Newcastle, from where there is a connecting bus to Newcastle Central railway station, for regular trains to Edinburgh in about 2.5 hours.
Edinburgh is a very walkable city, and on foot you will come across some stunning views of the city and its surroundings. If ability and distance allow, we do encourage walking to the venue if you can! The distance from Waverley train station to Pollock Halls is 2km. A map app on your phone can help you navigate (on most apps you can download the route to use offline if data roaming costs are a concern).
Lothian buses, Edinburgh’s local transport network, have an extensive and reliable service all over the city, many routes now with electric buses. £1.80 is the standard adult one-trip fare. Contactless is the best way to pay for travel on the buses; if you pay cash please note that you need exact fare as change is not given. A day pass costs £4.40, but does not include the airport buses.
To get to the Pollock Halls conference venue for EurSafe from Princes Street, take a bus on the shops side of the street to the Royal Commonwealth Pool on Dalkeith Road (ask the driver if you are unsure of where to get off). Pollock Halls is a short walk down Holyrood Park Road from the stop.
A taxi from St. Andrew Square Bus Station or Princess Street to Pollock Halls will cost approximately £7-10 and take 5-10 minutes.
Travelling to Edinburgh from the south (A1 from Berwick or A702 from Carlisle), west (M8 or M9) or north (Queensferry Crossing, M90 and M9), the most straightforward route is to join the A720 City of Edinburgh Bypass, and take the A7 Old Dalkeith Road exit at the Sheriffhall Roundabout going towards the City Centre. Continue straight for approximately 3 miles. Just past the Royal Commonwealth Pool at the lights, turn right onto Holyrood Park Road. Pollock Halls is the second turning on the right. There is limited on-site parking at Pollock Halls on a first-come first-served basis. In the rush hours, expect delays to enter the bypass from the M9, A8 and A1, and at the Sheriffhall roundabout.
Created by the SSPS Communications and Engagement team
Accessibility statement
Privacy and cookies
Photo credits
© 2021 All rights reserved. Dr Ann Bruce | The University of Edinburgh
“The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a “Recognised body” which has been granted degree awarding powers.”