News & Events

Bring your friends and colleauges along to The Merchants Hall to discover the value of becoming a Member at the Royal Company of Merchants.

Join us on Thursday 10th September for an evening designed to introduce prospective Members to the Company. Learn more about who we are, what we stand for, and the positive impact we can make across Edinburgh through our charitable, educational and civic work.

The evening will include presentations from Guy Cartwright, CEO, Philly Nicholson, Director of Membership & Development, and Mark Quinn, Chair of the Membership Committee.

Guests will also have the opportunity to meet and speak with current Members involved in a variety of areas across the Company, providing valuable insight into membership and the many ways to become involved.

The formal programme will be followed by a relaxed networking reception with Members and invited guests.

Join us and the Merchant Company Schools to celebrate excellence in art...

Come into the Hall on Wednesday 23rd September to mingle with fellow Members and meet students and representatives from the Merchant Schools.

Held annually, the Merchant Company Prize for Portraiture rewards those that create excellent art at Erskine Stewart's Meville and George Watson's College. Judged in two categories, portraiture and photography, students are selected by a panel of judges and then awarded prizes for work.

The competition grew out of a desire to promote the Company's extensive historic collection of portraits, sculpture and photography. You can view the evening's programme by clicking on the button below.

What you can expect...
🎨Meet talented artists from the Merchant Company Schools

👥Network with fellow Members

🍷Enjoy a wine reception

🕒5.30 - 7pm

To confirm your attendance, please register using the Eventbrite link below. This event is free to attend.

Hear the latest updates from The Royal Company of Merchants, help us to welcome new Members, and enjoy a wine reception. In keeping with Company tradition, you are warmly invited to bring a guest to the reception following the meeting. Please indicate whether your guest will be joining you when registering.

We look forward to welcoming you to The Merchants Hall.

Taking place on Friday 23rd October, the Court Dinner brings together Masters and Consorts from esteemed Livery Companies, along with distinguished dignitaries from Edinburgh and beyond. 

What to Expect

👗Dress Code: Black Tie

🥂Welcome Reception: Champagne on arrival

🍽️Fine Dining Menu: Showcasing Scotland's finest produce

🍷Wine Included: Paired wine for every course

🥃After Dinner: Raise a glass with the famous Stirrup Cup

The ballot for this year's event has now closed. 

Enjoy a decadent brunch with the opportunity to network with visiting Livery Masters, Old Masters, Court Assistants and fellow Members.

On Saturday 24th October from 12-3pm, join us in The Merchants Hall to celebrate the fellowship and enduring connections of the Livery community.

Like The Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh, Livery companies from across the country are built on a long tradition of fellowship, education and charitable purpose.

Each year, we welcome Masters and their Consorts to Edinburgh as representatives of these historic organisations that have evolved into thriving modern institutions, supporting skills, education and communities across the country.

We are delighted to invite Members to attend, and provide you with the opportunity to purchase up to 2 tickets at £50pp. These can be purchased through the link below. 

Join us at 17:30 for our 2026 AGM to hear all the latest updates from the Company in advance of The Kirking on Friday 6th November.

• The meeting will be followed by wine and light bites.
• Members are welcome to invite a guest to the reception following the meeting.
• We politely ask that guests arrive after 18:30. Please select if they will be joining you after the meeting when registering.

Be a part of one of the most significant and spectacular occasions in the Company calendar as we welcome a new Master and Court.

We are delighted to invite Members to enter the ballot to attend the 2026 Kirking of the Master and their Court, taking place on Friday 6th November at 2:00pm in the magnificent surroundings of St Giles’ Cathedral. The service will be followed by a celebratory reception at Merchants Hall.

Steeped in history and tradition, the Kirking is a truly memorable ceremonial occasion with processions led by the High Constables of Edinburgh, including the Lord Provost, the Old Master and representatives from the Merchant Company Schools, followed by the Senior Company Officer as the new Master and their Court make their formal entrance into the Cathedral.

Music and stewarding will be provided by pupils from the Merchant Company Schools, with senior students also taking part in the service led by the Company Chaplain.

As a Member, you have the exclusive opportunity to experience this important moment in the life of the Company.  Places are complimentary but limited and will be allocated by the ballot. Each Member may enter once for one place.

Successful Members will be invited to attend both the Kirking service and the reception at The Merchants Hall.

To enter the ballot, please email:

membership@merchantsedinburgh.co.uk

The ballot will close on Monday 28th September.

Due to the limited number of places available, we regret that not every application may be successful. However, the service will be streamed online, allowing all Members to share in this special occasion.

Successful Members should be seated in St Giles’ Cathedral no later than 1:50 pm.

Reception at Merchants Hall is due to finish at 5:30pm.

Save the date for our 2026 Festive celebrations. 

Details to follow.

Join us for the Christmas Open House at The Merchants Hall on Tuesday 15th December, open to all of our Members, family and friends.

Further details to follow.

Details to follow.