Member guide
Day trips from Edinburgh - a member's guide
Where to go when you have a day and want it to count: real destinations within reach of Edinburgh.
Where Influence and Innovation Converge.
The Edinburgh Society is Scotland's premier hub for leaders and innovators, uniting influential minds across Technology, Finance, and the Arts.
Discover Our GatheringsAn Ecosystem of Influence
We facilitate powerful connections at the intersection of Edinburgh's key global industries.
Finance & Tech Hub
Connecting leaders and innovators in Edinburgh’s thriving FinTech, AI, and software engineering sectors.
Global Arts & Culture
Guides to the Edinburgh Festivals and the city's arts scene, for the people who work in it and the people who support it.
Academic Excellence
Covering the research of the city's universities and where it meets Edinburgh's industries.
Edinburgh A–Z
The local words you hear in your first months in Edinburgh, explained in plain English.
On in Edinburgh
Events in the city chosen for our members, alongside our own guides. Dates, programmes and booking are on the official sites of the organisers.
Art fair
Greyfriars Edinburgh Art Fair 2026
Two free days of contemporary art in Greyfriars Kirk, with a champagne opening and the Henry Raeburn Prize.
Member guide
Free things to do in Edinburgh - a member's guide
A city's character is often in what it gives away: the best of Edinburgh at no cost.
Member guide
Historic pubs of Edinburgh - a member's guide
Old rooms with real history: the Edinburgh pubs where the building is part of the story.
Member guide
Markets and food culture in Edinburgh - where locals actually shop and eat
The markets, food halls and independent streets that show how Edinburgh really eats.
Member guide
Edinburgh parks and green spaces - a member's guide
Where Edinburgh goes outdoors: the parks worth crossing town for and when each is at its best.
Member guide
The Edinburgh theatre scene - a member's guide
Producing houses, studio spaces and the companies that make Edinburgh worth a theatre night.
Member guide
Classical music in Edinburgh - venues, choirs and what to look out for
Where Edinburgh actually sounds best: the halls, chapels and ensembles worth planning around.
Member guide
Arts Council England puts £80,000 into Keep it Fringe, and the money stops at the border
The Fringe Society's bursary fund returns for the festival's 80th year, funded by a body whose remit ends at the English border.
Member guide
Edinburgh architecture - a member's guide to the buildings that matter
The buildings that explain Edinburgh: who built them, what to look for and where to stand.
Member guide
A cultural weekend in Edinburgh - the member's itinerary
Two well-planned days of art, music, architecture and food in Edinburgh - an itinerary built around real landmarks.
Member guide
Literary Edinburgh - bookshops, libraries and reading rooms worth your time
Independent bookshops, historic libraries and reading spots of Edinburgh: a literary walking companion for members.
Member guide
The best museums and galleries of Edinburgh - a member's guide
A curated member's guide to Edinburgh's essential museums and galleries: what to see, when to go and what locals skip.
Arts & Culture
Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2026
Eleven days of live storytelling at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and across the city, on the theme Bird and Beast.
Arts & Culture
Edinburgh's Christmas 2026
Christmas markets, funfair rides and live events across the historic city centre, running into the first days of January.
Arts & Culture
Edinburgh's Hogmanay 2026
Four days of New Year celebrations, from the Torchlight Procession to the Street Party and midnight fireworks over the Castle.
Join an Influential Circle
Associate
£150/year
For emerging professionals and academics looking to connect with the city's leaders.
- Invitations to member events
- Discounted tickets where organisers offer them
- Community newsletter
Fellow
£450/year
For established leaders, innovators, and investors shaping their industries.
- All Associate benefits
- Free entry to member events
- Invitations to roundtables as they are held
- Introductions to other members
Patron
Contact Us
For influential individuals and corporations dedicated to advancing Scotland's innovation ecosystem.
- All Fellow benefits
- Company branding at major events
- Ability to co-host events
- Strategic introductions
The Capital's Chronicle
Insights and stories from the nexus of Scottish finance, technology, and culture.
Our Esteemed Partners
Frequently Asked Questions
We focus on curated, cross-disciplinary connections at a leadership level. Our value lies in bringing together influential minds from finance, tech, arts, and academia who would not typically meet, sparking unique and powerful collaborations.
We cover the festival season in our guides and point members to the events worth their time, with tickets and programmes on the organisers' own sites. Festivals, venues and organisers who would like the Society's support for an event are welcome to get in touch.
Absolutely. We believe that true innovation comes from diversity of thought. We actively welcome leaders and creators from the arts, academia, public sector, and beyond who are committed to shaping the future of Edinburgh and Scotland.
Join Edinburgh's Influential Minds
Tell us who you are and what you are looking for. We reply to every enquiry, and we do not add anyone to a mailing list without asking.