Edinburgh’s army of freelancer workers have a wide range of coworking spaces at their disposal, offering a choice of shared or fixed desks with flexible terms.
(Photo: Tribe Porty)
With its historic cobbled streets and striking architecture, not to mention its world-famous whisky walks and festivals, there’s plenty of distraction to be found in Scotland’s compact, hilly capital. All the more need for somewhere you can retreat to for a productive day’s work before making the most of all the city has to offer. Step forward Edinburgh’s impressive line-up of coworking spaces – of which here are 10 of the best.
Tribe Porty
A community coworking and creative events space based in Edinburgh’s charming coastal suburb of Portabello, Tribe Party are home to a collection of social entrepreneurs, freelancers, charities, SMEs and enterprises. They offer a range of coworking solutions including office spaces, permanent desks, hot desks and meeting spaces – all specifically designed to encourage creativity. Hot desking packages start at £32 per month for 2 days a month access, rising to £155 per month for unlimited use. There are also day passes priced at £18 and off-peak passes for £10 with access from 9am-1pm on select days. Each package includes access to kitchen facilities and meeting spaces, as well as various membership perks such as monthly coffee morning, social events, and brand discounts.
19 Windsor Place, Portobello / www.tribeporty.org
The Lighthouse
(Photo: The Lighthouse)
Based in Leith, one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world, according to Time Out magazine in 2021, the Lighthouse offers a bright, calm and friendly workspace – perfect for allowing you to focus. They offer individual desks by the day or month or an adaptable meeting room for 2-6 people as needed. Pricing varies by space, with discounts for extended bookings. Hot desks start at £15 a day and a day in a meeting room at £54. Join Them for a productive and zen workspace experience.
Anchor House, 112 Commercial Street, Leith / www.thelighthouseoffices.com
The Melting Pot
(Photo: The Melting Pot)
Situated close to some of the city’s most famed attractions, including Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile, The Melting Pot combine a great location with all the amenities you need to work professionally and productively. An acclaimed social innovation incubator, their weekday space offers flexible solutions for today’s dynamic work landscape. Memberships are designed to suit both individuals and organisations, from occasional drop-ins right up to your own dedicated desk. Hotdesking starts at £102 for 35 hours per month hotdesking, or for £240 a month, you can benefit from unlimited weekday use, and for £360 per month you get your own fixed desk with storage. There are also day passes for £30. All members gain 2 hours’ meeting room use a month, plus invites to regular social and learning events, local partner discounts, and unlimited tea.
15 Calton Road / www.themeltingpotedinburgh.org
Regus
A world-renowned coworking operator, Regus have six venues dotted across Edinburgh. Many of them boast dedicated business lounges, making them popular with business travellers requiring somewhere to host on-site meetings, and there are custom Business Plan memberships that include unlimited access to any Regus lounge. Coworking rates vary by venue, but start at £99 per month for hotdesking at their South Gylle space on the western edges of the city. All membership packages include access to amenities and facilities including printers, scanners and photocopiers, plus invites to regular networking and community events. Contracts are available on a monthly rolling basis, or you can ease your monthly payments by locking into a long-term contract up to 24 months.
Venues across Edinburgh / www.regus.com
Evergreen Studio
(Photo: Evergreen Studio)
A small, creative coworking studio located in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town just off the Royal Mile, Evergreen is home to members from a variety of creative disciplines including architecture, urban landscape architecture, film-making, photography, graphic design, web development, science and education. Full-time coworking rates start a £205 per month, which includes 24/7 access to a dedicated workstation/desk space. All members can also benefit from free meeting room use, printing/scanning equipment, a shared library, a kitchen, and an outdoor terrace. Complimentary tea, coffee and milk is also provided.
3 Tweeddale Court, 14 High Street / www.evergreenstudio.co.uk
Scottish Coworking Network
The Scottish Coworking Network is aimed at providing local entrepreneurs, freelance workers, sole traders and start-ups with dedicated space to work, meet and collaborate in public libraries throughout Scotland. Each hub offers desks, meeting space and breakout areas, online resources and WiFi. There’s also access to enterprise support and advice and a programme of events and workshops to help turn ideas into successful business and employment opportunities. At their Edinburgh hub in the heart of the city on George IV bridge, unlimited hotdesking in the open plan workspace is priced at £35 per month, or for £50 per month you can get a fixed desk. The space is open Mondays through to Saturdays. Guests can also enjoy the use of breakout areas and refreshment facilities.
Edinburgh Central Library, 7-9 George IV Bridge / www.scottishcoworking.org
The Nexus Room
(Photo: The Nexus Room)
An upscale coworking space close to the Union Canal, shared and run by a local Edinburgh film production company, The Nexus Room is home to just six fixed desks, guaranteeing a comfortable workspace away from the hustle-and-bustle of big hotdesking hubs. From monthly packages to drop-in hot desking, their flexible membership options make the venue an ideal workplace for freelancers and small enterprises. Open 24/7, the space offers weekly membership for £80 per week or monthly membership for £260 per month. Both packages include full-time access to a dedicated desk, use of printing/scanning equipment, unlimited tea/coffee, cereals and snacks, and invites to social events.
9, St Peters Buildings / www.thenexusroom.co.uk
Kingsford Business Club
Located five minutes’ walk from the shops, bars, and restaurants of George Street, where you can kick back and relax after a long day’s work, or even entertain clients, this coworking space is purpose-designed to help clients maximise productivity. Hotdesking starts at £165 per month for 5 days a month access, rising to £330 per month for unlimited use Monday to Friday. There are also a small number of fixed desks available for £395 per month, and day passes are priced at £60 per day. On-site services and amenities available to all members include use of printing and scanning equipment, meeting room discounts, and gourmet tea/coffee.
26 Dublin Street / www.kingsfordoffice.com
Hive Spaces
(Photo: Hive Spaces)
Located in Edinburgh’s New Town, Hive Spaces is a design-led hub offering a collection of multifunctional spaces designed for focused productivity, collaborative working, and social connection. There are three membership bands available: Pollen, which gives you access for up to two days a week, priced at £165 per month; Bumble, which includes three days a week access, for £225 per month; and Queen Bee, which offers unlimited weekday access for £300 per month. There are also day passes for £30, or bundles of 10 for £225. All members have full use of the on-site common room and coffee bar, which serves artisanal coffee at 1990s prices, and the opportunity to attend a curated list of social and cultural events.
3 Jamaica Street / www.hive-spaces.com
Egg & Co
(Photo: Egg & co)
Opened in May 2023, Egg & Co is one of the newer additions to Edinburgh’s coworking scene. Scotland’s first coworking space for women, the city centre venue is a is creative & colourful hub that encourages women to connect, collaborate, and share skills. The space is spread over two floors and features a choice of hot desks, fixed desks and private offices, as well as a podcast studio and a meeting room. There are also weekly workshops supporting business, emotional and physical health. Hotdesking membership starts at £xxx per month and permanent desk membership is £225 per month. You can also buy day passes starting at £30 per day, or a block of 10 for £200.
23 Union Street / www.weareegg.co.uk
TechCube
A business hub for entrepreneurs, techies and creatives, TechCube provides fully adaptable office space for freelancers, start-ups and small businesses with market-leading comms and networking as well as bookable meeting rooms. Situated within the Summerhall Arts Complex, directly adjacent to the Meadows public park, the space strikes a fine balance between technology and the arts that plays into the collaborative and creative nature of the venue as a whole. Hotdesking membership rates start at £300 per month. On-site services and amenities include fibreoptic internet, secure bike storage, and 24-hour access.
1 Summerhall Place, Newington / www.techcu.be