We can't wait to welcome you to the stunning and historic Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. Arriving at the Grand Staircase, you will experience the venue's three main rooms The Cullen Suite, The Great Hall and The New Library throughout the day.

The College was granted a Royal Charter in 1681 by King Charles II after Edinburgh physicians would meet to discuss medical regulation and practices and how to improve standards.

In 1682 the College established the first dispensary in Britain to distribute free medicine to the sick and the poor, and was instrumental in founding the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh in 1729.

For more than 300 years, the College has remained independent of control of government and its mission today remains close to that of its founders, namely to promote the highest standards in internal medicine.

The present home of the College was built at No.9 Queen Street in 1848. The hanging lamps are one of the remaining original features of the design and were initially oil burning. A bust of Hippocrates stands above the central door at the top of the stairs and Aesculapius, the Greek god of medicine, is above the entrance to the hall.

The Cullen Suite, where our post-ceremony drinks reception will be held, is located at 8 Queen Street. It is the oldest building on Queen Street and one of the oldest in Edinburgh's New Town. It was designed in the 1770s and has entertained many notable members of Edinburgh society including renowned philosopher David Hume.

In the 1860s the College needed expanding for more book storage and a new library was built on the site of the old kitchen block. Its layout was based on the Bodleian at Oxford.

The College Library itself was established in 1682 and was the first in Scotland specifically intended for the study of medicine. The library is still active today, providing access to 60,000 books, manuscripts and medical objects to members.