Edinburgh’s position as the Scottish Capital has naturally placed it at the heart of the country’s transportation networks - so that even a day or so to spare before or after a conference or a seminar can be put to the maximum advantage. There’s easy access to the beautiful countryside of the Scottish Borders, or you could explore the delightful coast of the East Neuk of Fife as far as the university and golding town of St. Andrews. Make the short journey to Glasgow to visit the Burrell Colletion, or travel on to Ayrshire and Dumfries to follow in the footsteps of Robert Burns, Scotland’s national poet. An express train or an easy drive by car takes you beyond the Firth of Forth to Perth, Stirling and all the glories of the Scottish Highlands. There are flights from Edinburgh to Shetland and Orkney and from Glasgow to many of the Western Islands, including Lewis, Barra and Tiree.