Firsttimer, this isn't a chat room - please bear in mind that some of us have to read everything that is posted on the board, and if you want to correspond with other members then the PM system is by far the most appropriate place to do so. Do also bear in mind that this is a public forum and anybody can read it, so mentioning details of any meeting venues or dates is a particularly bad idea.
You're staying in Edinburgh for quite a while then, after your journey to get there costing ?400 because you were so far away from there? It's a nice place, and we do have a few members here from there so I'm sure somebody will be able to help.