Workshop venue

The workshop will take place in the Lecture Theatre at ROE. Make your way up to the glass doors in the top right hand corner of the site

Workshop times

The workshop will start at 15:00 on Thursday May 31st, after the conclusion of the UKIRT Board meeting, and will finish around 16:00 on Friday June 1st.

The first day will have a short series of review talks, followed by dinner. The second day will be made up of contributed science talks.

Social Events

The meeting will open with tea and nibbles with members of the UKIRT Board. There will be a workshop dinner on the Thursday evening, at the Cellar Door on George IV Bridge. Please pay for the dinner at the time of registration. (There is no charge for coffee tea and lunch during the workshop). The workshop dinner can be considered a celebration of the success of UKIDSS. It seems not unlikely that attendees may retire to a variety of nearby hostelries after the dinner.

Accommodation

Participants are responsible for arranging their own accomodation, and making their own way to the Royal Observatory. We have listed a number of nearby options here, all of which are about 15 minutes walk from the ROE site and are well located for public transport to the centre of Edinburgh and Waverley railway station (about 15 minutes by bus or 10 minutes by taxi). Quoted prices are intended as a guide only and depend on the type of room desired (single, twin/double for single or shared occupancy, etc).

June is the beginning of high season for tourism in Edinburgh, so do book your accommodation as soon as possible.

Directions to the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

The workshop will be held in the lecture theatre of the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, which is situated on Blackford Hill, to the south of the city, and should not be confused with the pre-1893 Royal Observatory (or City Observatory) on Calton Hill. A zoomable map with the location of the observatory is available here.

Apart from by road, the main ways of arriving in Edinburgh are at the airport (to the west) or at Waverley rail station (central). Taxis will bring you direct to Blackford Hill for about 20 pounds (airport) or 8 pounds (rail station).

From the City Bypass: (by car)

Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.

From the City Centre via Cameron Toll Shopping Centre: (bus + 20 minute walk)

Many buses regularly travel from the City Centre to Cameron Toll Shopping Centre including the 3, 8, 24, 29, 31, 33, 37, 37A, and 42. Alight at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre. Walk west (left) on Lady Road. Cross the Craigmillar junction and continue walking on Esslemont Road. Go straight across to West Mains Road. Continue walking until you come to Observatory Road on your left. Go through the red sandstone archway and continue to the top of the hill.

From the City Centre via Blackford Avenue: (bus + 10 to 15 minute walk)

Take the 24 from Princes Street or the 41 from the Mound (Art Galleries) in Edinburgh's City Centre and alight at Blackford Station. Walk along the second half of Blackford Avenue (away from the City Centre) until you reach the red sandstone archway at the bottom of Observatory Road. Turn right and climb the hill. Every half hour the 41 continues up the second half of Blackford Avenue to Kings Buildings so you can alight close to the red sandstone arch.