From artisan makers and bakers to retailers and restaurateurs, Edinburgh’s independent businesses help give the capital its character. We spoke to some of the city’s best – including EICC partners and local favourites – to champion the people behind the craft.
EDINBURGH'S independent business community is one of its best assets. At the EICC, we’re proud to collaborate with many of these local businesses through events, partnerships, and shared initiatives, such as working with local makers on delegate experiences or showcasing artisan producers at major conferences.”
Here, we spotlight some of Edinburgh’s most exciting independent businesses, from luxury food artisans and speciality coffee roasters to immersive escape rooms and award-winning gin-producers. Together, their stories paint a picture of a thriving and diverse city powered by entrepreneurial spirit – and people with passion.
Meet Edinburgh's independent businesses
Edinburgh Gin is an award-winning distillery and one of Scotland’s best-known premium gin producers, offering interactive tastings, distillery tours and bespoke gin-making experiences. Find them on Instagram at @edinburghgindistillery
Can you describe Edinburgh Gin?
Edinburgh Gin crafts a diverse range of gins, from our classic London Dry to small-batch limited editions, as well as bespoke gins for private and corporate clients. At our distillery, visitors can enjoy immersive experiences such as our Decadent Duo: Gin and Chocolate Pairing. Gin Making Experience as well as private group tastings, offering both locals and city visitors a hands-on insight into the craftsmanship of gin-making. We also host private events, corporate functions, and seasonal experiences designed to create memorable moments.
What makes your business unique?
As Scotland’s Gin Distillery of the Year and Gin Tourist Destination of the Year, we combine world-class gin craftsmanship with engaging, experiential tourism. Every gin is crafted using traditional distilling techniques and innovative, locally inspired botanicals. We also offer bespoke gins for weddings, corporate gifts, and events, giving our clients the opportunity to create truly personalised products that reflect their own story.
How long have you been a partner of the EICC?
We have worked closely with the EICC over a number of years on Trade Familiarisation trips across the UK and Edinburgh, showcasing Edinburgh Gin to corporate and association buyers and promoting Edinburgh as a premier destination for visitors. We also offer exclusive gin experiences for delegates, corporate clients, and private events through curated tasting sessions, masterclasses, and pop-up bars; we bring a distinct Scottish twist to EICC events.
Edinburgh’s beloved macaron maker, Mademoiselle Macaron, brings Parisian artistry to Scotland with handcrafted treats inspired by authentic French baking. Their personalised macarons have also been used at EICC events, adding a bespoke touch to delegate gifting and VIP hospitality
Can you describe Mademoiselle Macaron?
Mademoiselle Macaron is a Parisian inspired brand focused on creating a moment of luxury with hand-crafted, authentic French macarons. We are the UK’s leading independent luxury macaron brand, inspired by the authentic recipes and artistry learned in Paris – but with a playful twist.
Our macarons are handcrafted and combine playful sophistication with accessible luxury so that anyone can enjoy a touch of French indulgence. Whether for hotels and catering companies or ‘just because’, we believe luxury should be savoured, not put on a pedestal, and that every delivery should feel like a little celebration just for you.
What makes your business unique?
We have so many flavours to choose from (although not all are available all the time) – we have never seen anyone else make an Irn Bru macaron! We also make branded and personalised macarons with our amazing machine that puts photos and images directly on the macarons themselves.
Having learned how to make macarons when I lived in Paris, I believe what makes us unique is our lived experience, and our intention to create a little bit of that je ne sais quoi that has been with me since living there.
Have you attended any events or shows at EICC?
Yes, plenty! I was an exhibitor at the Christmas Foodies Fair many years ago and more recently attended both the Scotland Food and Drink Awards and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce awards.
An award-winning independent studio located beside the EICC, Hot Yoga Edinburgh combines professional-level instruction with the warmth and personal connection of a small business, offering a trusted wellbeing space for locals, travellers, and corporate groups alike. The studio’s proximity to the EICC also makes it a popular wellbeing option for conference delegates looking to unwind between sessions
Can you briefly describe Hot Yoga?
Hot Yoga Edinburgh was founded to create a welcoming, high-quality space where people of all levels – from complete beginners to experienced yogis – can practise with confidence. We offer a wide range of classes including hot yoga, aerial yoga, yin, and yoga-Pilates fusion. Although we’re a small independent studio, we deliver the level of professionalism and modern facilities you might expect from a major brand, paired with the friendliness and personal connection that only an independent business can offer.
What makes your business unique?
We pride ourselves on offering the best of both worlds: high-quality, professional instruction alongside a warm, welcoming atmosphere. Our standards are exceptional, but our approach is personal, and our community is at the heart of everything we do. That combination of expertise and genuine warmth is what truly sets us apart.
How long have you been a partner of the EICC?
We’ve worked with many local businesses and corporate organisations across the city, and we’ve provided yoga classes at the EICC for many years as part of a range of corporate events. As workplace wellbeing becomes increasingly important, we’re delighted to continue strengthening our partnership with the venue.
Modern Standard Coffee is one of Scotland’s leading speciality coffee roasters supplying cafes, hotels and restaurants across the UK and operating a popular cafe in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh. Their coffee is also served to thousands of delegates each year at the EICC, where it has become an integral part of our hospitality offering
Can you briefly describe Modern Standard Coffee?
Modern Standard Coffee is a specialty coffee roastery based in Glenrothes, Fife – the owner Lynsey’s home town. We source, roast, pack, and deliver delicious coffees from around the world to a diverse and varied set of wholesale customers across Scotland and the UK, including restaurants, hotel, cafes, and farm shops, as well as an online webshop for home enthusiasts. We also operate our own cafe in Bruntsfield, Edinburgh, where we showcase and brew the best of our seasonal and core coffees.
What makes your business unique?
We’re an accredited Living Wage employer, a proud member of ‘1% For the Planet’, and we’re in the final stage of being assessed for B Corp certification. We’re also one of the few female-founded and owned coffee roasteries in the UK.
We support a number of charitable initiatives throughout the year, including Women's Aid, Switchboard, The Bumblebee Conservation Trust, and the Salvation Army through our seasonal coffees – a donation per bag sold is made to the nominated charities.
How long have you been a partner of the EICC?
We have been working with the Nourish team since October 2024. Our Colombian ‘Aromas del Sur’ single origin coffee is the EICC’s filter coffee offering for all guests and delegates, and we also supply our Momentum blend for espresso.
Escape the Past is an award-winning Edinburgh escape room company known for historically inspired experiences, including ‘The Anatomist’ and ‘The Deacon’s Cabinet’. Experiences like these have strong appeal for EICC’s visiting international delegates, offering an authentic way to explore the city beyond the conference programme. Follow them on Instagram at @escapethepast_edinburgh
Can you describe Escape the Past?
Escape The Past offer immersive experiences for small groups, all based on Edinburgh’s dark past. We currently have two award-winning escape rooms; ’The Anatomist’ (inspired by the city’s grave-robbing era medical history) and 'The Deacon’s Cabinet’ (based on the life and crimes of the infamous Deacon Brodie).
We recently launched our first outdoor game 'A Trail of Burke & Hare’ which blends escape room puzzles with a self-guided walking tour through real historical sites connected to the story. We’re popular with visitors and locals alike and pride ourselves on offering a high degree of immersion, attention to historical details and exceptional customer service.
What makes your business unique?
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We’re Edinburgh’s #1 fun activity on TripAdvisor
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All of our experiences are directly inspired by Edinburgh’s real history
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We employ actors, rich historical details and special effects to create truly immersive experiences
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We can currently accommodate groups of up to 45 people at once across our two indoor escape rooms and our outdoor escape room ‘City Trail’.
What is your connection with the EICC and have you ever attended any events there?
We introduced ourselves to EICC recently as we recognise the appeal of our offering to corporate groups who may be visiting Edinburgh in connection with a conference or other event (we’ve previously hosted evening activities for the Royal College of Physicians annual meeting, for example). On a personal level, I've previously attended several events at the EICC in connection with The Fringe.
PURE Spa & Wellness is on Lothian Road, just a short walk from the EICC. The company has been part of this area for more than 20 years, supporting both local clients and visitors with a range of spa, beauty, and advanced wellness therapies. With many delegates now seeking wellness options during their conference, PURE’s offering complements the wider visitor experience around the EICC. They can be found on both Instagram and LinkedIn
Can you briefly describe PURE Spa & Wellness?
We provide an oasis of calm and wellbeing in the heart of the city. Our treatments include a mix of traditional spa and beauty therapies – such as massage, facials, nails, waxing, and laser hair removal – alongside advanced treatments including Dermalux LED facials and Puretec advanced facials that use cutting-edge technology for superior results.
We also have our own 100% natural, spa-grade product range. All products are multi-use and travel-friendly, designed for skincare on the go so clients can streamline their routine without compromising on quality.
What makes your business unique?
Our private wellness suite truly sets us apart. It includes an infrared sauna, cold plunge pool, relaxation lounge, and couples therapy room, all of which can be booked for private events or simply for some much-needed ‘me time’ with friends or a partner.
We also offer specialist equipment such as a hyperbaric oxygen chamber and compression boots, which can support clients managing conditions like lymphedema or recovering from sport or surgery.
What is your connection with the EICC and have you ever attended any events there?
The EICC is a fantastic venue, and I’ve attended many events over the years, from graduation ceremonies to stand-up comedy. It’s iconic for us here in Edinburgh, and we’re delighted to be located so close to such an important local landmark.
The Worx is a local Edinburgh fitness hub known for high-energy classes, community-focused wellbeing, and a commitment to making movement accessible to all fitness levels. Their focus on accessibility and community mirrors the ethos of many EICC-run wellbeing initiatives for staff and visiting groups, you might even spot some of the EICC team there during a class! Instagram: @worxedinburgh
Can you describe The Worx?
WORX is a fitness studio providing the equipment, the environment and the workouts to get and to keep you fit, strong and motivated to move your body. Our group classes are a welcoming environment where we combine cardiovascular conditioning with strength and functional movement. We use a carefully designed fusion of three Concept2® Ergs (ski, bike, row), world-leading pieces of equipment, along with a selection of weights and functional equipment. We offer a wide range of classes including Ride, Strength, RIde Row and Ride Row Ski, providing both physical and mental health benefits.
What makes your business unique?
We are independent and locally owned and run by a team who are passionate about fitness and sports, all of whom compete in different sports – including triathlon, running, cycling, hockey and Hyrox – and who love to help others on their fitness journeys. Our classes are structured and based on the principles of professional sports training but delivered in a way that is fully accessible to all levels and brings the proven science of fitness training to everyone.
What do you currently do with the EICC and how long have you been a partner?
We have been working with EICC just since this year, and offer a discount to all EICC staff and delegates on our class passes. We also just did a big rebrand and studio upgrade!
The EICC is proud to support local partners and the best independent businesses across Edinburgh. To learn more, or explore partnership opportunities, get in touch.