We’re delighted that you’re able to join us at this year’s Book Festival. There’s so much to see and do once you arrive, so read on to find out what to expect.
All bookings will receive confirmation from our Schools Booking Coordinator with the details of your booked events. Invoices for tickets will be submitted to your booking contact in August. Every young person will receive a free copy of the book for the events you’re booked to attend which you can collect from our Front of House team.
Our Site
All events in the Schools Programme take place at our Book Festival home in central Edinburgh at Edinburgh Futures Institute, 1 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9EF apart from the Front List: Schools Edition events which takes place a five-minute walk from the site at McEwan Hall, Teviot Place Edinburgh, EH8 9AG.
If you’re arriving by public transport, there is a bus stop directly outside the Edinburgh Futures Institute on Lauriston Place. If you’re arriving by coach, the designated drop-off point is opposite George Heriots School.
The Book Festival is wheelchair accessible and there are infrared and/or audio induction loop systems in our venues. You can also request a BSL interpreter for any event in the programme – just let us know as soon as you have booked tickets. Please get in touch with us if your school has specific access requirements at school@edbookfest.co.uk.
You can download this information as a PDF to share with colleagues and bus driver: EIBF-Arriving-Onsite.
Arriving at the Book Festival
• Please plan to arrive around 20 minutes before your event is due to start.
• All schools events last 45 minutes and are followed by a book signing in our Signing Tent.
• If travelling by coach, please ensure your driver is aware of the designated schools parking on Lauriston Place (see map and instructions above.) As of 1 June 2024, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) is in place in Edinburgh city centre and may affect travel. Further details can be found on Edinburgh City Council’s website: https://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/low-emission-zone.
• A Road Crossing Assistant will be available to help your group across the road. There are also traffic lights and a crossing opposite George Heriots School.
• There are two entrances to our site via Middle Meadow Walk. Access the Festival Village entrance (next to Starbucks) or head directly to the venues via the first floor entrance to EFI at the Canopy Restaurant.
For schools attending events in the Front List: Schools Edition at McEwan Hall, please use the signed side entrance on Teviot Place.
When you arrive on-site, please report to our Schools Check-In Point at the Box Office. You will be greeted by our Front of House team who will direct you to your venue. They will also give you your free books for the pupils in your group.
Eating and Drinking
You are welcome to bring your own packed lunches and have a picnic in the Courtyard or in our cosy indoor spaces. There are grassy areas as well as covered seating. There is also a café on-site which sells meals, snacks and drinks, as well as food trucks and options nearby.
Discovery Zone
On Wednesday 20 August, we’ll be hosting a Schools Gala Day for primary schools, and a Teen Takeover Day for secondary schools on Thursday 22 August as part of the Schools Programme. There will also be a range of drop-in activities to take part in at the Discovery Zone in the Lounge on Level 2 of EFI, featuring:
- Making book characters with author-illustrator Emily Mackenzie
- Write the future and make your mark on our Young Writers Charter with Schools Writer in Residence, Ryan van Winkle
- Use textile waste to create something new with Remode Collective
- Writing stories to repair the world with Luke Winters and the Story Wagon
- Learn simple stitches and mends with Edinburgh Street Stitchers
- Designing bookmarks with Edinburgh Libraries
- Create prints with recycled materials with Edinburgh Printmakers.
These drop-in activities will be taking place from 10am-2pm on both days to help you make a day of your trip to the Book Festival.
Leaving the Book Festival
We hope you have a wonderful time at the Book Festival. The designated pick up point for coaches and buses is on Lauriston Place, where your group will have been dropped off.
Don’t forget to pick up your free books before you leave, or get in touch with schools@edbookfest.co.uk and we can arrange for them to be sent to your school.