2–4 February 2027 · Aberdeen, Scotland, UK · Call for abstracts opens 8 November 2026 Call for papersPartner with usContact
AXIS 2027
Venue & travel

Venue and travel in Aberdeen

Aberdeen became the base of the North Sea oil industry after oil was found offshore fifty years ago. The city also has the Energy Transition Zone, a new deep-water harbour and the Aberdeen Bay offshore wind farm.

Elphinstone Hall and its arcade at King's College, University of Aberdeen
Elphinstone Hall, King's College, Old Aberdeen
Venue

University of Aberdeen · King's College Conference Centre

Sessions are planned for the University of Aberdeen's Old Aberdeen campus. The gala dinner is planned for Elphinstone Hall, a 1930 baronial hall, with the exhibition in an adjoining hall (to be confirmed).

Provisional. The final venue will be confirmed by 1 November 2026

  • Airport (ABZ) about 20 minutes by taxi
  • Railway station about 15 minutes by bus or taxi
  • City-centre hotels 10 to 15 minutes by bus or taxi
Stylised map of Aberdeen showing the venue, city centre, harbour, airport and Energy Transition Zone River Dee River Don Venue · Old Aberdeen City centre Harbour Energy Transition Zone Airport (ABZ) Aberdeen Bay wind farm

Pins are approximate. Select a pin for directions.

Getting here

By air and rail

By air

Aberdeen International Airport (ABZ) has direct flights to London and to major European hubs such as Amsterdam. It is about 20 minutes from the city by taxi or the Jet 727 bus.

By rail

Direct trains run from Edinburgh (about 2.5 hours) and Glasgow (about 2.75 hours). The Caledonian Sleeper serves London to Aberdeen overnight.

Visas

Check UK entry requirements early. Registered delegates can download an invitation letter from their portal.

Winter in Aberdeen

Early February weather.

Early February days are short and cold: highs of around 6°C, with sunrise around 08:15. Everything on the programme is indoors, and the venue is a short bus or taxi ride from the city-centre hotels.

Weather disruption: if snow or storms disrupt travel, registered delegates can switch to virtual participation at no extra cost, and speakers can present remotely. See the terms.
Social programme

Four evening events.

Mon 1

Scottish welcome

A Burns-supper welcome: pipes, haggis, the Address to a Haggis, and a whisky tasting.

Tue 2

Gala dinner

A ceilidh in Elphinstone Hall. The band teaches the dances, so no experience is needed.

Wed 3

Lantern walk

Old Aberdeen by lantern light: King's College and St Machar's Cathedral.

Fri 5

Castle & whisky tour

An optional day trip to Dunnottar Castle on its sea cliff and the harbour town of Stonehaven, with a whisky tasting on the way back.

A haggis on a silver platter with thistles and a book of Burns's poems at a Burns supper
Haggis at a Burns supper · Photo: Number 10 / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Elphinstone Hall at King's College, its arcade lit at dusk
Elphinstone Hall, King's College · Photo: Ragazzi00 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
The twin spires of St Machar's Cathedral in silhouette at sunset, Old Aberdeen
St Machar's Cathedral at sunset · Photo: Bill Harrison / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Dunnottar Castle on its sea-cliff headland near Stonehaven
Dunnottar Castle, near Stonehaven
Where to stay

Hotels near the venue and in the city centre

We are agreeing delegate rates with the hotels below. Booking links appear in your portal after registration, and we will email account holders when they open. All are on the map above.

City centre

Mercure Aberdeen Caledonian

Union Terrace, beside the station and Union Street.

City centre

Hilton Garden Inn Aberdeen City Centre

Denburn, five minutes' walk from the station.

West End

Malmaison Aberdeen

Queen's Road, a quiet residential area with restaurants.

West End

The Chester Hotel

Queen's Road, a smaller hotel with its own restaurant.

Delegate rates to be confirmed. Book early: early February is quiet for tourism but busy for industry events.

Dates

2–4 February 2027

From 8 November, create an account to submit, register and receive hotel rates and programme updates.