The University of Edinburgh has transformed the iconic, category-A listed, Old Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh into a space for interdisciplinary collaboration, education, research and partnership – the new Edinburgh Futures Institute. As custodians of this much-loved, Edinburgh city landmark, we are opening the doors and welcoming visitors into the building for the first time.

Over the Meadows Festival weekend of 1-2 June, we are offering guided tours of the building, giving you a chance to see the restored interiors and new spaces, to learn about the history of the building, and get a taste of the work being done in the Futures Institute.

A key feature of the building project was to restore public access from Middle Meadow Walk – and our new café Canopy – Kitchen & Courtyard, will be opening over the weekend. Canopy will be open from 9am-6pm for sit-in and takeaway refreshments on Saturday and Sunday, 1-2 June.

Access to the café is through the former A&E entrance, from the steps on Lauriston Place at the top of Middle Meadow Walk.

We are offering a series of guided tours of the Futures Institute from 10am (last entry at 4pm), please book one tour only. Tours will be limited to ticket holders only.

Tours will last around 50 minutes and cover a range of spaces and points of interest over the building. Spaces for tours are limited and you must book in advance and present your ticket on arrival.

How to book your ticket

Please first select the day you would like to attend (near the top of the page) and then choose your tour time in the ‘tickets’ section.

As this is a limited capacity event, please select one tour only. We reserve the right to cancel any ticket holder who books multiple tours.

Additional Information

Ticket holders should assemble at the south entrance on Porters Walk a few minutes prior to the start time of your tour, where a Futures Institute staff member will greet you.

The open day will be photographed/recorded, and images may be used for future marketing, promotional or archive purposes. If you would prefer not to be photographed, please let us know on the day.