Dovecot Studios takes conferences, product launches, award ceremonies, drinks receptions and weddings for 20 to 300 guests. The venue occupies the former Infirmary Street Baths in Edinburgh's Old Town and still houses a working tapestry studio, so events take place beside looms, wool spools and contemporary art.
Seminars and company events
The Meeting Room handles board meetings for 20 and talks for 50 in theater layout, with daylight from a skylight and a row of arched windows. Larger plenaries move to the Ladies Baths, which seats 160 in theater style or 120 at cabaret tables. For conferences with an evening program, the Weaving Floor and the Viewing Balcony above it take receptions of up to 300 and seated dinners of 200. Delegate Wi-Fi and a lectern come with the rooms. A projector with screen, flipcharts, a PA system with two handheld microphones and up to 16 color-changing LED uplighters can be added. The events team also works with outside audiovisual specialists for larger productions. Hire fees go to the Dovecot Foundation, a registered charity that supports tapestry weaving in Scotland.
Weddings and receptions
Couples can hold the ceremony in the Ladies Baths, the Meeting Room or on the Weaving Floor, with exclusive use of the chosen space. Drinks usually follow on the Viewing Balcony, and the evening reception moves to the Weaving Floor, the balcony or the Ladies Baths. The Weaving Floor takes up to 250 wedding guests. Wedding hire includes a coordinator, a PA system, uplighters, security, table and chair hire with set-up, linen, poseur tables and wool spools from the studio for centerpieces. Access starts at 5:30 pm the evening before for set-up.
Rooms and capacities
The Weaving Floor sits under the Victorian vaulted ceiling of the old pool hall, with wool spool displays on the walls. It holds 300 for a reception, 250 in theater layout, 200 for a banquet and 180 in cabaret. It is normally used by the weavers and opens for events on selected weekends, and the Viewing Balcony is included in its full-day rate. The balcony, once the spectators' gallery, takes 300 standing or 200 seated. The Ladies Baths, with original arches and a skylight, holds 180 for a reception. The Meeting Room takes up to 60 standing or 24 in cabaret. Lifts serve each level, and accessible toilets are on site.
Catering
Food comes from a panel of four caterers: Culinarians, Pop, Saltire Hospitality and Wilde Thyme. The events team helps organizers choose, and the caterers can also be contacted directly. Banquet chairs, linen and other extras come from accredited outside suppliers.
History and setting
The Infirmary Street Baths opened in 1885 as the first public baths in Edinburgh. A fire damaged the Ladies Baths in the 1950s, and the last pool closed to swimmers in 1995. Facing possible demolition, the building was restored with funding from the Dovecot Foundation, and Dovecot Studios opened here in 2008. Today it is a center for tapestry, contemporary art, craft and design.
Getting there
The address is 10 Infirmary Street, EH1 1LT, a short walk from the Royal Mile and South Bridge. Edinburgh Waverley is the nearest main-line station, and Edinburgh Airport is reached by tram or road from the city center.
