Heading to #VitaeCon2026? 15 Things to Do in Edinburgh While You’re Here
The Vitae International Researcher Development Conference 2026 (#VitaeCon2026) is being held in Edinburgh on 8–9 September 2026. And, having never visited Dynamic Earth, I'm even more excited to be going again this year.
Due to our PGR and researcher development work across the UK and globally, Fistral has been attending the Vitae conference since 2008. I think it's the 15th or 16th Vitae conference that I've personally attended on behalf of Fistral: wow, time flies!
For anyone new to the conference, it's a friendly and welcoming event. As well as a wide range of sessions and workshops sharing what works as well as what doesn't in the researcher development world, the side chats you have can be every bit as insightful as the presentations.
I also know it might be the first visit to Edinburgh for some attendees, so thought I'd share a few recommendations – including plenty of free things to do in Edinburgh – over and above the traditional Royal Mile, St Giles' Cathedral, Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens.
Free Things to Do in Edinburgh During #VitaeCon2026
Bring your walking shoes and visit:
1) Calton Hill* and Arthur's Seat for great views
2) The Potter Trail (for Harry Potter fans)
3) Any of the following museums and art galleries for free**
The Writers' Museum - for all things Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson
4) Scottish Parliament at Holyrood
5) Greyfriars Bobby, the famous statue of the loyal terrier, and Greyfriars Kirk
6) Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
7) Ghost Tour
More things to do in Edinburgh
Not free, but some great attractions:
8) Nelson's Monument tower at Calton Hill for one of the best city views (£6 or £7)
9) Surgeons' Hall Museum (incl Burke and Hare in the History of Surgery section)
10) The Real Mary King's Close (17th century life via underground closes)
11) Camera Obscura
12) The Johnnie Walker Experience
14) Go to a ceilidh if you're staying over a weekend
15) ... come to Glasgow - only 45 mins by train! ;-) ...
Plus lots of traditional pubs (a line of them in Rose Street, also known as 'The Amber Mile' for this reason) and quirky bars across the whole city centre.
See You at #VitaeCon2026
Whether it's your first Vitae conference or, like me, you've been coming for years, I hope you get some time to explore Edinburgh while you're here.
Fistral has been supporting postgraduate researchers, research staff, CDTs and researcher development teams for over 20 years through our skills training for researchers, working with universities and research organisations across the UK and globally. #VitaeCon is always a useful opportunity to catch up with colleagues, meet new people and hear what's happening across the researcher development sector.
I look forward to seeing you at Dynamic Earth on 8th and 9th September 2026 – and if you spot me, please come over and say hello.
- Pauline, Customer Relationship Manager