Edinburgh is a city of contrasts, where the past and present meet and ancient streets are vibrant with the buzz of modern life. It is lively and exciting, worthy of its centuries old status as Scotland’s capital. And it enables conference, presentation and corporate hospitality organizers to host a highly professional event in a very special location.

The city makes a dramatic first impression with its grand, elegant buildings dominated by a magnificent castle perched high over the city. Fashionable cafes, restaurants and shopping give Edinburgh an energetic, youthful feel.

With 10 centuries of history, architecture and culture behind it, Edinburgh undoubtedly has class. It is home to the world’s largest arts festival. Its annual Tattoo in the Castle grounds brings back memories of ancient battles, warring clans and tales of Scottish glory. But it is also a modern and attractive venue for meetings, conferences and congresses and plays a major role in attracting companies and associations to Scotland.

Pride of the city is the award-winning International Conference Centre (EICC), which opened in 1995. One of the finest medium-sized complexes in Europe, it has a global reputation for the very highest standard of facilities and services. Close to several of Edinburgh’s finest hotels, this purpose-built circular building has a 1,200-seat auditorium which can be subdivided into three self-contained areas for 600, 300 or another 300 guests. There are a further 11 self-contained meeting rooms for audiences of up to 600, plus an exhibition area.

Another major meetings, exhibition and banqueting favourite is the Edinburgh Conference Centre at Heriot-Watt University (www.eccscotland.com). It has a superb auditorium for 620 delegates, plus 218 en-suite bed spaces year round, and over 1,000 student rooms in vacation time.

For a special venue with a difference, the Castle itself (www.historic-scotland.gov.uk) offers exclusive evening receptions and dinners for up to 1,000 guests. On the Royal Yacht Britannia (www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk) receptions for up to 250 can be hosted in the State Apartments, where the Queen once hosted heads of state and visiting royalty. Dinners for up to 96 and breakfast meetings for 100 can be enjoyed in the State Dining Room. The prestigious Royal Museum is a Victorian national treasure; its glass-roofed main hall holds 650 diners or 1,500 for a reception, and a fully equipped lecture theatre seats 276.

Hotels make Edinburgh a major international business destination. There’s the 188-room, Five Star Balmoral (www.roccofortehotels.com), in the shopping mecca of Princes Street. Combining the character of a Scottish Baronial home with the classic sophistication of an international hotel, it offers 10 conference and banqueting suites for up to 450 guests. The 238-bedroom Crowne Plaza (www.crowneplaza.co.uk) on the historic Royal Mile, has a comprehensive range of 12 meeting venues. The Georgian 195-room George Intercontinental (www.edinburgh.interconti.com) has four grandly styled function rooms accommodating up to 200 delegates.

At the elegant, 260-room Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa (www.sheraton.com) in the heart of the cultural city centre, the largest of a range of suites can handle up to 485 for a conference and 450 for a grand banquet. The truly stylish Scotsman Hotel (www.thescotsmanhotelgroup.co.uk), has 56 guests rooms, 12 suites and conference facilities comprising of six rooms, including an intimate state-of-the-art screening room.