OPTIONAL PARTNER TOURS

Edinburgh's Georgian House

Situated only a few minutes' walk from the Sheraton Grand Hotel and the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Edinburgh's Charlotte Square is a beautiful example of the city's new town architecture.

The north side of Charlotte Square is Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban architecture and is the location for optional tours which have been arranged for delegates of partners registered for the 9^th World Plumbing Conference. The Georgian House, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, is delightfully furnished as it would have been around 1796 and gives visitors a glimpse of life in the New Town in the 18th century.

The guided tour will last for about 1 hour and 15 minutes and arrangements are being made for groups to visit at the following times:

Thursday 8 September 2011 at either 1000 or 1045 and Friday 9 September 2011 at either 1000 or 1045.

If demand exists for more tours then these might be possible. There will be no charge for these tours but advance booking is essential.

Please confirm your booking for this by email (indicating the date and time you would prefer) to lauren.smith@snipef.org as soon as possible and no later than 1 August 2011.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence in Scotland of Her Majesty The Queen, stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. This fine baroque palace is closely associated with Scotland's rich history.
The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and as the setting for many of the dramatic episodes in her turbulent reign. Mary was married at Holyroodhouse and witnessed the brutal killing of her secretary Rizzio by her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, in her private apartments. The Palace briefly served as the headquarters of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 uprising.
Today the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family for State ceremonies and official entertaining. Depending on the level of interest, two private guided tours of the Palace will be organised on Thursday and Friday 8 and 9 September for partners of registered delegates. The tours (which are only available before the palace opens to the general public) commence at 0830am and last for two hours.

There will be no charge for these tours but advance booking is essential as places are limited.

Visit Underground Edinburgh

Arrangements have been made for delegates to the World Plumbing Conference to visit one of Edinburgh's unique tourist attractions on Saturday 10 September 2011.

Buried deep beneath Edinburgh's Royal Mile lies the city's deepest secret warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th century. Conference delegates (including partners and their families) will be invited to visit Mary King's Close (www.realmarykingsclose.com) from 1000am on Saturday 10 September.

This visit, which is available at no extra charge to registered delegates and partners, is subject to prior booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made with the venue.

Please confirm your booking for this by email (indicating the number of places you would like to book) to lauren.smith@snipef.org as soon as possible and no later than 1 August 2011.