Over 240 years of Assembly Rooms

Today marks 242 years since the official opening of our venue!

It was 1781 when a competition was launched to design a new Assembly Rooms for Edinburgh’s New Town, over 250 years ago. Architect John Henderson was selected as winner of the competition and in 1783 the foundations of his revised designs were laid.

The official opening of the Assembly Rooms was, of course, in 1787 for the Caledonian Hunt Ball. However, it was 1796 when John Baxter installed its renowned architectural features, including fluted Corinthian pilasters, drapes, mirrors and the breath-taking crystal chandeliers. Since then, the building has evolved with the times, with major extensions, renovations and technology advances, but has always retained its impressive Georgian grandeur and hospitality.

It was the venue’s Ballroom where Sir Walter Scott revealed his identity as the ‘The Great Unknown’ author of the Waverley Novels. Scott would also invite King George IV to the Peers Ball in 1822, an event which marked the birthplace of modern tartan.

In addition to hosting royalty, the Assembly Rooms provided medical aid during the First World War; awarded 11-time world champion Sir Chris Hoy Freedom of the City; put up countless productions for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival; and held live readings from the likes of Seamus Heaney to the Simpsons cast.

We want to take the opportunity to thank all the clients, partners, contributors and guests (we estimate over 30 million!) for their part in our history and who continue to make the venue a leading presence in Edinburgh’s cultural landscape.