LEARN Edinburgh

MND Scotland is bringing our Lived Experience and Researcher (LEARN) events back to Edinburgh in 2026!

Since 2024, we have invited people affected by MND and MND researchers to come together to share their experiences, knowledge, and research.  This year we will be returning to Edinburgh with a more interactive, engaging schedule for people to discuss MND research, and, of course, enjoy some coffee, tea and biscuits.

MND Scotland has been working with Hearts FC to again welcome the MND community to Tynecastle Park for LEARN. Following the MND diagnosis of the Scottish Cup winning captain, Marius Žaliūkas, MND Scotland and Hearts have built a strong partnership. This led to MND Scotland being Heart’s front of shirt sponsor and we look forward to continuing this partnership by again welcoming the MND community to the Gorgie Suite for LEARN together.

LEARN events are free to attend. We would greatly appreciate it if you could register your interest in attending via the registration form below (so we can make sure we order enough refreshments for everyone!). Full information about the event and venue can be found below.

We look forward to seeing you there.

Date: Monday 19 October 2026

Time: 13:00 to 16:00 – Please note, the event will close at 16:00, but attendees may remain at then venue until 17:00 to chat, if they wish.

Location: The Gorgie Suite, Tynecastle Park, McLeod St, Edinburgh EH11 2NL

Link to registration form: MND Scotland local LEARN event note of interest 2026 – Fill out form

Access to the event room: The Gorgie Suite is found to the left of the main entrance/hotel entrance on McLeod Street. Follow the path which goes round to the left of the stadium, continue past the bar/club shop on your right. The Gorgie Suite entrance will be directly ahead.   

Parking: There are a small number of parking spaces which can be provided close to the entrance of the Gorgie Suite. If you are a wheelchair user and would like to book one of these spaces, please contact MND Scotland at research@mndscotland.org.uk. Please note these spaces are first come first serve. There is paid parking run by Edinburgh City Council in marked spaces (including disabled spaces in front of the stadium reception) on McLeod Street. Those with blue badges can park in any of these marked spaces for free (Blue Badge parking – The City of Edinburgh Council). There is also a stadium car park at the other end of the stadium (about 5–10-minute walk from the Gorgie Suite). This car park may be useful for those attending with no accessibility requirements or those joining the event having dropped off someone with accessibility requirements at the main door.

Public transport: The closest train station is Haymarket Station which is a 20-minute walk from the stadium.

The Lothian 1 bus, Clermiston – Seafield, Lothian 2 bus, Hermiston Gait – The Jewel, Lothian 3 bus, Clovestone – Mayfield, Lothian 25 bus, Heriot-Watt Uni – Restalrig, and Lothian 33 bus, Westburn – Millerhill, all stop on Gorgie Road, next to the stadium.

Accessible bathroom dimensions: adheres to regulations for accessible access – awaiting confirmation of dimensions from Club.

Lift dimensions: N/A – The Gorgie Suite has street level access, and all facilities are on the same floor.

Provisional event schedule:

13:00 – Event opens

13:10 – MND Scotland welcome

13:20 – What MND means to me – lived experience talk

13:35 – Researcher lightning talks around tables

14:00 – Comfort break

14:15 – Researcher presentation and questions

14:30 – Round table discussion session

15:10 – Comfort break

15:25 – Round table resumes

15:50 – MND Scotland thank you and close

16:00 – Event closes (attendees may remain at then venue until 17:00 to chat, if they wish)

If you have any questions, you can get in touch at research@mndscotland.org.uk.