The University of Edinburgh

The 2009 conference will be hosted by the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World (CASAW) at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland.  The University’s central campus in located in the city’s ‘Old Town’, at the heart of the capital.  Edinburgh is one of the greenest and architecturally most beautiful cities in Northern Europe, with a colourful history based on the nation’s political and cultural past. The University was founded in 1558 and features some of the grandest buildings in the city, as well as the most modern academic facilities and services. 

Playfair Library

Along the southern side of Old College, Playfair constructed one of his masterpieces, the Library Hall. With its barrel-vaulted ceiling and running to more than 190 feet in length, it is regarded as one of Scotland’s finest public rooms.

It was used as a working library from the 1820s right through until the 1960s, when the University’s main collection was moved to George Square. It is now used to host dinners, receptions and prestigious lectures.

Playfair Library,

Old College,
University of Edinburgh,

South Bridge,

Edinburgh, EH8 9YL

Around the University

The area boasts many of Edinburgh’s finest hotels, restaurants and boutique shops as well as the city’s most popular tourist attractions including Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Mile andThe Palace of Holyrood House.  Transport is widely available with comprehensive bus services, convenient ‘black cab’ taxis and easy access to Waverley Train station and shuttle links to and from Edinburgh International Airport.  The campus also borders The Meadows, Edinburgh’s largest park: equally popular with joggers, strollers and sports of all kinds.  Tours are available to Scotland’s vast countryside from many Edinburgh-based companies catering to daytrips and longer getaways.