Edinburgh’s unique venues may be closed for events for now, but some of the teams are busy preparing for re-opening or still ready to take booking enquiries.  Others who are also visitor attractions are keeping things active online.  Here is a round-up of news and events going on behind closed doors:

Dundas Castle
The Castle may be closed but those looking for a stunning and unique venue can still tour the main building as the team recently launched an online 360 tour.  The tour is so detailed you can imagine yourself sat on the sofa by the fire or relaxing in one of the 17 sumptuous bedrooms.  To take the 360 tour go here: https://dundascastle.co.uk/

National Museums Scotland
If you go onto the NMS website there are plenty of things to explore.  From a Google Street View of the venue itself to activities and learning tools.  Checkout the collections online or go behind the scenes with regular curator blogs.  There is also an online learning section, ideal for those home schooling. Learn more here: https://blog.nms.ac.uk/2020/03/24/virtual-national-museums-scotland/

National Galleries of Scotland
The National Galleries are offering a peek behind the scenes with a series of blogs taking you into the archives.  With information on artists, collections, learning and future exhibitions, there is plenty to browse.  See more here: https://www.nationalgalleries.org/art-and-artists/features/blog

Edinburgh Zoo
The animals are still there even if the events and visitors aren’t, so why not enjoy the Zoo webcams and visit some of your favourites?   There are also online learning tools including videos and activities – plenty to keep the family busy, with a whole section on online learning.  Find out more: https://learning.rzss.org.uk/

Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh
Also offering online learning is the Royal Botanic Gardens team.  Browse collections, enjoy a virtual spring by viewing some of the stunning garden sites and also study for a RHS certificate.  You can also search the catalogues and library. https://www.rbge.org.uk/collections/

Dynamic Earth
The learning team at Dynamic Earth is providing plenty to keep the home schooled busy.  Regular activities including crafts, exploration, science learning and activities to get the kids outside, are worth exploring.   https://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/visit/whats-on

All our other venues are still also online so you can still browse rooms, capacities and make enquiries for future events.  Your next event is waiting, so check out the range of choices here: https://uniquevenuesofedinburgh.co.uk/edinburgh-venue/

New year, new wedding planning season. At this time of year, many Edinburgh venues are gearing up to welcome couples to open days, fairs, and events. The wide range of options can be daunting, but do not fear. We’ve searched high and low and found some dates for the diary for those planning their big day. Dont miss these Edinburgh Wedding Open Days in January:

Sunday 12th January

 – The Botanics: The perfect setting to host your truly unique wedding, surrounded by plush greenery and breathtaking views. 11am – 4pm. Click here for details.

Sunday 19th January

– The Signet Library: This venue, situated in the very heart of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town, is the unique wedding venue of choice for those searching for a magical combination of breath-taking setting, glamorous design, and perfect hospitality. 11am – 4pm. Click here for details.

– Mansfield Traquair: This stunning city-centre venue invites couples-to-be to see the Baldaccino and the Nave set up so you can imagine making your grand entrance, celebrating your vows under soaring ceilings and entertaining your guests during the reception. 11am to 4pm. Click here for details.

Wednesday 29 January

– The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh: The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh invites couples to be to its January Wedding Showcase. In partnership Hickory Weddings, the team will transform the Royal College venue into a dream wedding location. Click here for details. 

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Did you know you can compare multiple unique wedding venues? Search and filter Edinburgh venues using our quick search tool and get in touch with multiple locations at once using the enquiry form.

As climate change and sustainability becomes a greater concern for businesses around the world, our unique members constantly strive to ensure these fantastic venues are as environmentally friendly and energy efficient as possible.

But how do they do it and why? The team at Dundas Castle can help explain:

“We regularly evaluate our current systems to analyse if they can be updated to reduce our impact. We began this journey a few years ago and already have a number of alternatives in place throughout the Castle and Estate. Our team are always learning new ways to make Dundas as eco-friendly as possible and believe we still have room to improve.”

Here are five ways the venue is contributing to a healthier planet:

1.The company ethos

Dundas Castle is passionate about living greener with each staff member having a conscious mindset outside and inside of work. Small changes such as documents automatically being printed double sided in order to save paper, recycling our ink cartridges and trying to only print when really necessary add up to reduce our office impact.  Car sharing is common between employees and procedures are in place to ensure all of our glass, cardboard and plastic are being recycled along with all food waste and cooking oil.

The team recently updated the Housekeeping equipment to adopt ‘smart technology’. This includes washing machines with ‘eco-programs’ that weigh the wash load and only add the necessary amount of cleaning liquid to reduce waste and environmental impact. The on-site tumble driers do not have a timer system, instead, the machine weighs the load, measures the dampness and dries the washing to 30% moisture. This helps the team with the ironing process but also prevents wasted energy by only drying the sheets for the necessary time

2. Energy use

Over the last few years, all of the lights throughout the venue have been converted to LED, helping the estate reduce its energy use. The venue invested in 200PV solar panels in 2012 that cover 325 square meters and produce 50kWp supplementing the Castle’s energy. In addition to this, a state of the art Biomass system was installed in 2015 to provide hot water and heating for resident guests. This is fuelled by recycled wood chips which are locally sourced.

3. Sustainable suppliers

The venue works with a variety of suppliers who are equally as passionate about contributing to a more sustainable planet.

Sodexo, Dundas’ catering partner, take on board food provenance as a priority: chefs source 70% of the food they serve from local producers, in season where possible. In 2019 plastic straws were replaced with paper ones, and the team are now investigating other ways in which the venue can reduce plastic use here.

4. Community and charity work

The owner of Dundas Castle, Sir Jack Stewart-Clark, has embedded charitable values throughout the business. Each year, we support several charities such as; RNLI, Comic Relief and the Princess Trust, through prize donations and allowing a number of organisations to use the Castle for events at a reduced fee.

Sir Jack founded a new charity in 2018, ‘Survivors of Human Trafficking in Scotland’ (SOHTIS), who work in partnership with others to encourage, enable and empower those rescued from human trafficking to rebuild their lives and integrate into society. Dundas Castle also hosts events for the charity to help them raise awareness of the cause and create the funding they need to continue their vital work.

5. Wildlife

Wildlife on the Dundas Estate is an important part of the venues sustainability. The grounds are home to various protected animals such as; swans, foxes, deer, hares and many different wild birds. The team are committed to ensuring these animals are not disturbed and are able to roam freely with no threat. So much so, that the woodland area is monitored to ensure there is very little pollution and some areas in the estate have even been developed to home some of these species. In particular, the Lothian Amphibian Group have created several small ponds to encourage breeding of the Great Crested Newt.

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Planning your next event? Take a look at our quick search tool to filter venues and enquire with multiple locations at once.

Vicky & James’ wedding at Mansfield Traquair was characterised by a lovely autumn-winter theme with beautiful burgundy and dark green details, complemented with little personal details and a relaxed atmosphere. The events team caught up with the couple to ask how they planned their perfect day:

How did you end up choosing to get married at Mansfield Traquair and why?

The main reason we chose Mansfield Traquair was because of their large capacity, we had a big guest list. We also loved the fact that everything was in one space. Also because it’s such a spectacular and unique venue – you definitely feel the WOW factor when you walk in, just stunning.

How did you prepare for your wedding and the whole planning process?

Lots of lists and being organised. I also knew some of the suppliers my sister had used for her wedding 3 years ago and they were very helpful.

What did you find was most helpful about having an Event Planner?

Megan, our event designer was very helpful in answering all the questions about the logistics for the day and being the go-to person for anything!

Did you have a theme? What was it and why did you choose it?

We decided to have an autumnal theme, with burgundy as the main colour, we thought it was a nice colour to have for a November wedding and we thought complemented the venue.

How did you personalise your wedding day?

We went for simplicity, we wanted a really relaxed and chilled day for everyone involved, we mainly focused on the ceremony being the personal part of our day.

Where did you get your inspiration?

Pinterest, Instagram, the venue website and Planet Flowers website.

Describe how you found the process of selecting your wedding menu.

Very easy-going, there were loads of options and again we wanted to go for something easy that would be a crowd pleaser. The food was delicious and very high quality.

Tell us about a favourite or memorable moment.

Walking down the aisle and the ceremony, taking the venue in, seeing all our friends and family, seeing each other, seeing the venue come together with the chairs, lights, flowers, music etc. It was just amazing and loved every minute of it, after being very scared and nervous.

Any words of wisdom for future happy couples?

Try not to get wrapped in what a wedding should be, try not to over think the little details, what will be, will be. Just try to relax and enjoy every minute of it because it goes by so quickly

What are some of the compliments you’ve received about your wedding day?

Flawless service, amazing venue, spectacular ceiling, lights, flowers, the setup, food, drinks ( especially the gin!), music, all the staff – everything was just amazing, thank you.

If you had to describe your Big Day in three words, what would they be?

Unforgettable, spectacular, big party! (maybe 4 x words)

Where was your honeymoon, any big plans?

We went to South Africa, back for our fourth time, absolutely love it!

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This article was originally published on the Mansfield Traquair website. To start planning your own dream wedding, get in touch with multiple unique venues at once using our enquiry form.

Today, most companies operate in teams and this is how all the important work gets done. To help your team accomplish anything they set their minds to, we’ve compiled 5 powerful tips that will keep your employees motivated to do their very best on the job.

Show appreciation

Giving your team the respect and recognition they deserve can go a long way. Who doesn’t like to be told they’re doing a great job? If you show your appreciation and gratitude to your team, you can be certain that they will go above and beyond for you and the company.

Our top tip? Make time for each team member, get to know them as individuals and be specific when you’re recognising their contribution to the team’s efforts.

Showing your gratitude doesn’t always have to cost you money – even giving your team an early Friday finish can inspire a positive start to a Monday morning.

Provide opportunities for self-development

We know from numerous studies that individuals are more valuable to your company when they’re constantly developing both personally and professionally.

Providing your team with opportunities for self-development isn’t just limited to teaching them new skills that benefit the role they’re in, but also in supporting the development of habits and traits that help improve their personal and their professional life. Training sessions, courses, workshops, webinars and mentoring programmes are all fantastic ways to help develop your team.

But also make sure you’re listening to them and what they need, because sending them on fancy training sessions they don’t need won’t help anyone – and certainly not your wallet!

Set clear goals

We all know the importance of communication for the success of every company and its people, but surprisingly many leaders fail in this vital skill. You can only inspire your team when you build and maintain clear lines of communication with each member.

If you’re the leader, it’s your job to work with each individual to set clear goals. Once you make sure everyone knows exactly what their goals are, what their relative priority is, and what the team’s role is in reaching them, you’ll have an inspired team in no time!

Avoid unnecessary meetings

We’ve all sat in meetings before, staring at the clock and panicking about the mounting list of tasks waiting for us at our desks. This feeling can really impact on the work day, leading to a less productive team, so leaders should avoid long winded meetings that waste time.

The average professional wastes 3.8 hours in unproductive meetings each week. Maintain a productive and inspired team by creating an agenda which you share with the team in advance, inviting relevant team members only, starting the meeting on time, and then ending it as quickly as you possibly can.

Your team will thank you for it – trust us!

Inspiring work environment

You don’t need to provide a ‘Google-esque’ work space, but remember that everyone wants to work in a stimulating office environment that makes them feel happy and inspired. Employees who find joy in their work make excellent role models for their team members, encouraging them to also enjoy their work.

An inspiring work environment has multiple benefits; a positive atmosphere, increase in staff retention, higher profits and company growth and higher productivity.

There are many ways to create a stimulating and motivating work environment, but it is most important to ask your employees what they think would improve the workspace.

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Remember – inspiration comes from a consistent behavioural change from management that makes your employees feel that they matter and that you genuinely care.

With so many Edinburgh venues gearing up to welcome couples to open days, fairs and events, it would seem there is no better time to be in the midst of wedding planning. The wide range of options can be daunting, but do not fear. We have rounded up key dates for the diary that will help, whatever stage you find yourself at whilst on the way to your big day.

Wedding Open Days at Edinburgh Zoo

Multiple dates in November & February

The events team at Edinburgh Zoo invite couples to be to save the date ahead of an open night and wedding fairs at Mansion House. The Zoo is probably the wildest place in the capital to get married but the elegance, impeccable service and delicious catering options ensures that couples and their guests will have a truly memorable experience. The next event is on Sunday 18 November, 11-3pm, followed by the February event on the Sunday 24th, 12-4pm. For more information, please click here.

Wedding Open Day at Gilmerton House

Saturday 8 September, sorry this event has passed. Check out the venue page for more info.

Situated in the heart of the picturesque countryside of East Lothian, Gilmerton House will host a Wedding Open Day on Saturday 8th September, 12pm – 4pm. Couples to be can take this opportunity to see the stunning and historical mansion house set for a wedding amongst the beautiful 1,000 acre estate and learn more about the exclusive use venue. To book your place or visit on the day, please click here.

Wedding Fair at the Botanics

Sunday 23 September, sorry this event has passed. Check out the venue page for more info.

Prospective couples are invited to join the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh on Sunday 23rd September for their annual wedding fair. Attendees will be given the opportunity to visit the Caledonian Hall and view this unique wedding venue, discuss the latest theme ideas with the industry’s best suppliers and learn of exclusive offers, available only on the day. The fair is free to attend and will be held between 12pm-4pm. For more information or to get in touch before the day, please click here.

Dundas Castle Wedding Open Afternoon

Sunday 23 September, sorry this event has passed. Check out the venue page for more info.

Recently engaged couples dreaming of a fairy tale castle wedding are invited to visit luxury Scottish wedding venue, Dundas Castle, between 2pm and 5pm on the 23^rd of September 2018. The exclusive-use venue, with its atmospheric, 600-year-old Keep and 18^th century house with 17 sumptuous bedrooms, five-star Dundas Castle is the ultimate location for fairy tale weddings. The expert team will be on hand to walk couples through their special day and answer all of their burning questions. As this exclusive wedding open afternoon has limited spaces available, those interested in attending will need to register their interest in attending here.

Open Evening at the Signet Library

Friday 28 September, sorry this event has passed. Check out the venue page for more info.

The perfect location for an elegant and romantic wedding, the Signet Library on Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile invites couples for a Wedding Open evening. Event designers will be on hand to show off this unique venue and answer any questions. This is also a great opportunity to talk to some of Scotland’s best wedding suppliers who will be there too! Simply pop in to meet the teem between 6-8pm on Friday 28 September. For more information, click here.

Luxury Scottish Wedding Show at Hopetoun House

Sunday 7 October, sorry this event has passed. Check out the venue page for more info.

Hopetoun House will open its doors to prospective couples for The Luxury Scottish Wedding Show on Sunday 7^th October. The elegant and engaging show, which features an inspiring collection of luxury wedding exhibitors, offers prospective couples a relaxed environment in which to plan their special day. The show, which will take place from 12pm-4pm, is a unique opportunity for couples to meet with hand-picked wedding professionals, who can assist in the planning of wedding arraignments. For a full list of exhibitors, see here.

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Once you’ve tasted the canapes and met the experts, it’s time to lock down a date and start the countdown to the big day. Wrap it up easily with our simple and quick enquiry form, allowing you to choose your top venues and get in touch in one simple click.