AccessEA, Main Hall

The foundation stone of the Edinburgh Academy’s oldest building was laid in 1823. Our spaces have grown with the school community and we now have two sites, one at Henderson Row in the heart of New Town, and one at Arboretum Road, between the Botanic Gardens and Inverleith Park. Our Henderson Row site has nine indoor spaces for hire, plus three outside spaces, and our Arboretum Road site has three main indoor spaces for hire, plus a Sports Hub and extensive playing fields and greens. We have a variety of spaces to suit any event, budget or occasion - the choice is yours!

Designed by William Burn, a leading architect of the nineteenth century, the foundation stone of the Main Hall was laid in 1823. The timber-panelled entrance door is flanked by imposing doric columns and opens into an oval plan hall with a shallow domed ceiling. The lofty dimensions and play of light in the room give a sense of great space and occasion.

The Main Hall may be an impressive historical space, but it is also a flexible one. To the sides, round-arched niches house wood-panelled doors leading to smaller rooms (ideal as break-out spaces), as well as kitchen and washroom facilities. Whether you see yourself sweeping under the columns to be married beneath the light from the clerestory window, talking from a podium on the stage to those seated at tables below, or enjoying dinner and music under the central chandeliers, this is your space to make your own.