This year marks the Edinburgh International Book Festival’s first year at it’s new home, the Edinburgh Futures Institute (EFI). With this move comes a mix of excitement, curiosity, and admittedly, a few challenges. In this guide, I, Mrs QR, will share what I find—where things are, how to navigate the space, and help you deal with any confusion so you don’t have to.
Navigating spaces
First up, finding a map of the layout of the new location was a challenge. The map seems to have quietly appeared on the website in the last couple of days—I had to Google it to find it. You can now find it directly here. Thankfully, there are plenty of maps dotted around the site as well. Top tip: Just take a picture of a map when you see one.
Below is an annotated version of the map with missing information and adjustments to address some of the pain points I’ve encountered—and seen others encounter—over the first few days.
Map tip 1: The map doesn’t clearly show that Lauriston Place is on the same elevation as Level 1 of the building. When you walk down Meadows Walk and start seeing more signage for the Book Festival, you’re now at Level 0.
Map tip 2: This year, we’ve noticed a curious source of confusion at the Edinburgh International Book Festival (EIBF): the question of what and where the “Courtyard” is. The issue stems from the fact that the café on Level 1 is signposted as “Canopy Kitchen & Courtyard,” while the outdoor space on Level 0 is also referred to as the “Courtyard”. This overlap has led to quite a bit of confusion among festival-goers, and even among ourselves when arranging meet-ups. It seems like an oversight on the part of EIBF to name their outdoor space the same as the café upstairs. Perhaps, next year, the outdoor area could be renamed something less confusing, such as “the Lawn” or “the Green”?
While navigating the new home of the Edinburgh International Book Festival EFI might feel overwhelming at times, I have to commend the staff. They are nothing short of wonderful. There’s an abundance of them available, and I’ve witnessed several going out of their way to help attendees. It’s heartwarming to see. Information points are dotted around the place (open from 10am to 6pm), and the staff there are just as eager to assist. When I first arrived, I was personally escorted to where I needed to go—they couldn’t have been more helpful. If you’re feeling lost or stressed, don’t be afraid to ask anyone with an EIBF top or badge—they’re more than happy to help.
Courtyard (Level 0) – the grass out the back
One of the main entrances (because apparently, there’s more than one) is the EFI rear courtyard, which has that familiar book festival vibe. It instantly brought me back to the days of Charlotte Square. Tents on the grass, the Spiegel tent, and kids’ activities create that warm, communal atmosphere we’ve come to expect. A new addition—street food vendors—are filling the air with the most wonderful aromas. (Check out our street food guide for more on that.)
Inside the EFI
Stepping inside the Institute is a different story. The transition from the lively outdoor scene to the interior spaces feels a bit muddled. You’re suddenly in a university building, where the festival’s presence isn’t as intuitive. Despite the signs and maps finally making an appearance, finding your way around isn’t as seamless as it should be. I noticed quite a few people confused about where to go, asking staff for directions, and unsure whether certain spaces, like the café, were part of the festival or reserved for students. It’s clear that the inside and outside elements of the festival need to be better integrated to create a more cohesive experience.
While all the venues inside the EFI are impressive, it’s important to note that Venue T is primarily a lecture theatre. For next year, it might be worth the festival organisers considering more carefully how events are paired with venues to ensure a better match. Experiencing a poetry reading with improv percussion in a lecture theatre feels a bit out of place—it doesn’t quite create the atmosphere you’d hope for.
Where are the stairs? Take the main stairs between the floors, for example. The map says they’re on the right as you enter the building from the courtyard. In reality, you turn right and find yourself in a corridor. Then, you need to turn right again into an anteroom. Look to the left—what doesn’t look like stairs is actually the stairs! Below, a view of the stairs from level zero.
An indoor space to unwind
What’s particularly disappointing is the lack of a truly comfortable indoor space to relax and soak in the atmosphere. Yes, there are outdoor areas, but let’s be realistic—Scottish weather isn’t always on our side.
The café, which could offer refuge, is tucked away at the other end of the building, disconnected from the main hub. It’s a confusing walk through corridors, and many people weren’t even sure if it’s meant for festival goers or students. On the first floor, there are lots of nooks and anterooms, but it literally feels like you are at university.
Right now, I’m sitting at a very convenient desk, writing up my notes, but I’m completely away from all the excitement. It’s practical, but I may as well have gone back in time and be writing up an essay. This disconnect is something the festival will need to address if it hopes to recreate the community feel it once had.
The bookshop
The bookshop was, once-upon-a-time, a hub of activity, a place to relax with your new book and a cup of tea. Now, it feels like a purely commercial space, detached from the heart of the festival. It’s still a shop, but it has lost that inviting charm that once made it feel like part of something bigger. It’s an interesting paradox at a book festival.
Facilities
Near the kids’ tent outside, parents were co-opting the bicycle parking spots as pram/buggy parking—a practical and useful hack to keep the area free for movement. I don’t know if it was intentional on the part of the festival, but it did make me smile.
On day one I noted some surprising (given the place is brand new) practical challenges with the facilities:
- The Wi-Fi was consistently at capacity due to the number of attendees. As someone covering the festival, this more than a bit annoying.
- The toilets, too, weren’t up to par, with supplies running low and cleanliness leaving much to be desired.
These little things are surprising for a festival of this stature. Let’s hope they were only teething issues.
Latecomer policy
Tickets state that latecomers are not allowed. However, on day one, I saw several instances where they were let in. I’m not complaining about disruption, but the inconsistency is confusing. This could easily become a point of frustration for attendees if not addressed. If you’re going to allow latecomers, have a clear, consistent policy that works for everyone.
Connection to the other festivals
I’ve overheard a lot of attendees saying they’ve just come from other events at the Fringe or the International Festival, enjoying the convenience of being closer to everything. While I loved Charlotte Square—Mr. QR has written a number of editorials on the move—initial signs suggest that the new location has real potential to draw a more diverse crowd.
With these positive signs and the Book Festival closing at 11 pm each day, I’m eager to see if some of that late-night vibrance we had at Charlotte Square with Unbound will also return. We’d love to hear your thoughts—just tag us on your socials.
Closing thoughts
I, Mrs QR, am doing almost all of The Quinntessential Review’s coverage of the Book Festival. I didn’t manage to secure tickets to everything I wanted, but it’s definitely a packed schedule! I’ll continue to share our thoughts and updates through the coming fortnight. Please feel free to tag us on social media or drop us an email through our contact page if you have anything you want to share about this new chapter for the Book Festival.
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