Bringing Your Own
If you wish to bring your own equipment, props or visual aids/scenery please bear in mind the following:
Onstage Projection and Sound facilities in the four larger theatres
We have cables running to our projectors and sound systems, allowing us to feed VGA video, Composite Video (BNC or Phono) and sound (stereo headphone jack or XLR) from the stage. Please let us know if we require any special adaptors to connect to your equipment.
Projection and Sound in the smaller venues
Our mobile plasma screen, if booked in advance, can support VGA or Composite Video. Our cables are limited in length and your equipment would likely need to sit beneath the screen. We can also provide sound reinforcement although in the RBS Workshop Tent and Writers' Retreat this will require plenty of advance notice. The layout of the Highland Park Spiegeltent makes it unsuitable for projection or plasma screen presentations.
Sound reinforcement
We will normally want to feed all event sound through our PA (either by connecting your equipment directly or placing microphones in front of it) to allow us to ensure good sound quality throughout the venue, and to feed hearing support systems and audio archives. If you are intending to bring any sound equipment or instruments please let us know in advance.
Electrical Equipment
You should ensure any electrical equipment you bring is in good condition and compliant with all electrical standards and regulations. Wherever possible it should have a current Portable Appliance Test pass, however we will not normally ask for evidence of this except for larger, heavy-duty, industrial or metal-clad appliances (including most lighting equipment). For smaller or domestic items such as laptops, CD players etc we will normally be happy provided all cables and casings are in good condition. One of our staff may visually inspect your equipment before use.
If you require any significant power for your equipment (over five amps: eg for lamps) or more than one socket on stage, please let us know well in advance.
Handling of Props and Equipment
Large, heavy or bulky items may need special attention for moving and storing on site as 'backstage' access is limited and often through public areas. If you have anything that might pose handling difficulties please discuss this with the Technical Manager well in advance.
Deliveries and Collections
All consignments to or from the Book Festival must be arranged in advance with the Technical Manager to ensure that they are correctly received and stored. Couriers should be directed to make contact with our office at 5a Charlotte Square (see the contacts page for details) who will direct them to site if required. Sadly we cannot be responsible for any deliveries or collections which have not been arranged through Book Festival staff.
Fire and Naked Flame
Fire effects, smoke effects and use of naked flame requires specific planning and in some cases notification to the Fire Brigade. If you have anything like this in mind please discuss with the Technical Manager as early as possible so we can put plans in place.
Please note that the smoking ban in Scotland extends to all enclosed public spaces: there is no exemption for smoking of any kind on stage regardless of editorial or artistic context.
General Safety
We are more than happy to accommodate and plan for the unusual, however if you think anything about your event or the items you are bringing might pose a hazard please get in touch as early as possible to discuss options.
We reserve the right to restrict the use of any equipment if we feel it does not comply with relevant safety standards. We may be able to advise on appropriate repairs if time allows.
Set-up time
Please remember that the time between events in our venues is very short. If you are bringing anything that might take more than a few minutes to set up please contact us as soon as possible to discuss your requirements.