Meetings and conferences

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The National Museum of Scotland provides comprehensive conferencing facilities, versatile meeting rooms and stunning galleries to host gala dinners and social events for up to 1,500 guests.

Situated in central Edinburgh, just moments from Waverley Train Station and links to Edinburgh Airport, the museum is an unusual and inspiring destination for your next meeting or conference.

Conferences in the Auditorium Complex
Meetings in the Board and Bute Rooms
Gala dinners and social events

Conferences in the Auditorium Complex

Auditorium
Auditorium
South Hall, outside the Auditorium
Lunch in the Events Space outside the Auditorium
Coffee in the Events Space outside the Auditorium

The Complex incorporates the Auditorium itself, seating up to 210 and boasting a full suite of audio visual equipment and onsite technician available throughout your event. Hire also includes exclusive use of the South Hall with a private entrance and cloakroom facilities, ideal for welcoming and registering guests. The Events Space provides an additional area for breakout sessions exhibitions and catering and a private Green Room is available for VIP guests, speakers and presenters.

If additional breakout space is required, the Museums Board and Bute Rooms and Dunfermline Room can also be hired.

The Auditorium
Maximum Capacity		Facilities
Theatre Style	210	The auditorium boasts a screen, onsite technicians, a podium, flip charts and microphones.
South Hall
Maximum Capacity		Facilities
Reception	210	This ground level space has a private entrance with dedicated security throughout your event, cloakroom facilities, digital signage and fully accessible toilet facilities.
Events Space
Maximum Capacity		Facilities
Buffet catering	210	This versatile and light filled space can accommodate a range of requirements. Furniture, linens and screens for exhibitions are included in the hire.
Exhibition	210

Meetings in the Board and Bute Rooms

Dinner in the Boardroom
Bute Room
Dinner in the Bute Room
Roof terrace
The Tower Entrance to the National Museum of Scotland

The Board and Bute Rooms provide a suite of distinctive meeting spaces and a spectacular roof terrace for your exclusive use.

The striking Bute Room is a flexible and elegant space that can accommodate a variety of events, from seminars, away days and workshops to drinks receptions, whisky tastings and dinners. Directly above, the Boardroom has an in-built plasma screen and features a burr maple central table and spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle, an inspiring space for board meetings or breakout activities. Guests also have access to a private roof terrace, the perfect place to relax and refresh between sessions.

The Bute Room
Maximum Capacity		Facilities
Reception	80	This flexible space can accommodate a variety of event styles and furniture. Registration and cloakroom facilities are also available here.
Theatre style	50
Banquet	50
Cabaret	30
The Boardroom
Meeting	24	The boardroom features a 70” LCD screen with audio.
Reception	50	The boardroom features a 70” LCD screen with audio.
The Roof Terrace
Reception	50	The roof terrace features fixed bench seating and lighting for evening events.

Gala dinners and social evenings

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers performing in the Grand Gallery
Dinner in the Grand Gallery
Aerial artist performing in the Grand Gallery

The National Museum of Scotland is a spectacular destination for the social events in your conference programme. Whether you are planning an intimate drinks reception, productive networking event or spectacular gala dinner, our galleries and private rooms present an unforgettable backdrop for events with up to 1,500 guests.

Specialising in bespoke event management for occasions on every scale, our experienced team will ensure that your social programme is as inspiring and memorable as your key conference sessions.

Find out more about the unique and versatile event spaces available within the National Museum of Scotland .

The Grand Gallery
Maximum capacity
Dinner	950
Dinner Dance	700
Reception	1500
The Entrance Hall
Reception	700
Hawthornden Court and Kingdom of the Scots Gallery
Dinner	120
Reception	700
Early People gallery
Dinner	120
Reception	250
Board and Bute Rooms
Dinner	50
Reception	80