E-mail Article Print-Friendly Version Contact Us Subscribe to RSS Feed

Edinburgh

A great city steeped in tradition

There is some uncertainty about the early history of Edinburgh, many of the records having been lost in early invasions. However, Scotland's capital is believed to have taken its name from Edwin of Deira, who fortified the castle rock around 617AD.

Stadium: Murrayfield Stadium. Capacity: 67,500

Stadium History: The very first rugby international match was played at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, on Monday, 27 March 1871, on the cricket field of The Edinburgh Academy. In fact, the first nine international matches in Scotland were all played on established cricket fields - the second having been played at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow, the home of West of Scotland CC.

By 1890, the SFU had begun a search for an area of ground with the intention to purchase it for the Union. The search was fraught with difficulties, disappointments and frustrations. People simply did not want an international rugby ground in their locality.

However, Murrayfield was officially opened on a sunny day on 21 March 1925, with England the visitors.

Once the largest capacity for a rugby stadium (104,000 spectators), Murrayfield had to reduce this figure to 67,500 for safety reasons.

And while it's primarily a rugby stadium, Murrayfield has also proved to be a popular venue for a diverse range of other events including pop concerts, American football, Highland games, lacrosse and hockey matches, and even a youth rally to welcome His Holiness The Pope.

Town: With its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, and winding medieval streets, it's easy to see why Edinburgh has been listed as a World Heritage Site.

Edinburgh Castle dominates the urban skyline, perched atop the crags of an ancient volcano right in the centre of the city.
Yet Edinburgh is not stuck in the past. And neither is it all about bagpipes, shortbread, whisky and tartan.

The capital is bustling with arts, culture, sports and attractions and is famous for playing host to the world's largest arts festival.
After dark Edinburgh has a lively nightlife with stylish bars and pubs, restaurants, clubs and live entertainment to rival any European city.
There's plenty of open space too, with a large number of public parks and green spaces right in the busy city centre.
For active types, there's an extensive and varied choice of activities and sports in Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Or if you just want to exercise your wallet, the capital is a great place to shop.
This is a city that knows how to be both ancient and modern.

Local Rugby Clubs:

Boroughmuir Rugby Club: In recent years, Boroughmuir have won the BT Cellnet Cup three times, the BT Scotland Premiership Division 1 title and the prestigious Melrose 7s tournament.

Edinburgh Academicals: The Edinburgh Academical Football Club, formed in 1857/8, is the oldest rugby club in Scotland, the second oldest in the World and one of the founding members of the Scottish Rugby Union.

Other clubs in the capital include Portobello Rugby Club, Broughton Ruby Club and Magners League side Edinburgh Gunners.

Tourist Attractions:There always seems to be some kind of festival underway in Edinburgh. However, the main ones are Edinburgh's Hogmanay at New Year and the International Festival in August, which World Cup visitors will unfortunately miss. Other sites include:-

Edinburgh Castle: A must see for every visitor. It has a fascinating history, but what makes it really special are the views in every direction.

The Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre: An attraction that aims to bring 300 years of Scotch Whisky history to life. This interactive visitor attraction, allows you to experience whisky sights, sounds and smells, and gives the opportunity to discover how whisky is made. - www.whisky-heritage.co.uk

Edinburgh Dungeon: Witch-hunters, grave-robbers, murderers, cannibals, executioners - you will find them all here, along with their wretched victims. - www.thedungeons.com

Our Dynamic Earth: An interactive visitor centre taking you on a thrilling journey back in time to learn about our planet Earth. - www.dynamicearth.co.uk

Elsewhere in the city you can visit treats like the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith and The Royal Botanic Gardens.

Transport Connections:

By Air: Scotland is well served by the budget airlines operating from airports around London and from other regional hubs. Airfares are only competitive on popular routes such as London to Edinburgh and Glasgow, and, again, if you add on the cost of travel to and from the airport (and remember to include airport tax); the savings on the same journey overland are often minimal.

By Car: The two main driving routes to Scotland from the south are via the east of England on the A1, or via the west using the M6, A74 (M) and M74. The A1, which passes by Peterborough, Doncaster, Newcastle and Berwick-upon-Tweed, gives you the option of branching off onto the A68, which takes the hilly but scenic route over the border at Carter Bar and adds an hour or so to the journey time.

The M6 route, which goes around Birmingham, between Manchester and Liverpool and on to Carlisle, offers at least dual-carriageway driving the whole way. Once on the A1 branch onto the A720, then A71 onto Calder Road and follow the signs for the stadium.

Either way, it takes around 8 hours to get from London or Cardiff to Edinburgh or Glasgow, barring roadwork delays; 2 hours less from Birmingham.

By Ferry: If you are travelling from Ireland, Scandinavia or the Low Countries, you also have the option of travelling by ferry to ports in Scotland or the north of England, a short drive from the border.

By Rail: Glasgow and Edinburgh are both served by frequent direct train services from London, and are easily reached from other main English towns and cities, though you may have to change trains en route.
Journey times from London can be as little as 4½ hours to Edinburgh and 5 hours to Glasgow; from Manchester or York, knock off about 2 hours; from Bristol add about 2 hours.

RWC matches:
8 September: Scotland V Romania
23 September: Scotland V New Zealand

Post-match hostelries:

There's plenty of post-match goings-on that should cater for all tastes.

The Planet-Rugby Choice

The Sportsters Bar
1a Market
Edinburgh
EH1 1DE
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 9560
Fax: +44 (0)131 226 9561
Email: enquiries@citypeople.info

A sports haven - Not only can you watch the sports channels, you can also access the Internet, or even play games on a PlayStation 2.

Walkabout
Omni
Unit 7
Greenside Place
Edinburgh
EH1 3AA
Tel: +44 (0)131 524 9300
Fax: +44 (0)131 524 9301
Email: Walkabout Pub Edinburgh

Part of a large Australian chain, this pub is separated in two with a quieter area to have a chat, and the other includes large TV screens to watch other Rugby World Cup fixtures.

The Filling Station
233-241 High Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1PE
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 2488

Very popular with the tourists, this American-style bar/restaurant serves Mexican, pizzas, burgers etc and boasts an outside eating area.

TGI Friday's
22-26 Castle Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3HT
Tel: +44 (0)131 226 6543
Fax: +44 (0)131 226 6345

Great atmosphere with a pleasing menu that offers typical American food that is reasonably priced.

The Barony
81-85 Broughton Street
Edinburgh
EH1 3RJ
Tel: +44 (0)131 557 0546

This traditional Edinburgh pub has an open fire and serves good, warm food. You can also sample a range of traditional ales and whiskies.

Accommodation:

Luxury:

The Balmoral Hotel
1 Princes Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2EQ
Scotland
Tel: +44 (8704) 607040

The Royal Terrace Hotel
Miss Nicole Smith
18 - 22 Royal Terrace
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH7 5AQ
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 5245104

Apex European Hotel
Central Reservations
90 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH12 5LQ
Scotland
Tel: +44 (8456) 083456

Le Monde Hotel
Reservations
Le Monde Hotel
Edinburgh
Mid Lothian
EH2 2PF
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 2703900

Marriott Delmahoy Hotel and Country Club
Reservations
Kirknewton
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH27 8EB
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 3331845


Mid-Range Hotels:

Point Hotel
Mr Fair
34 Bread Street
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH3 9AF
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 2215554

The Inverleith Hotel
Mrs Case
Inverleith Terrace
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH3 5NS
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 5562745

Ballantrae Hotel
Reservations
8 York Place
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH1 3EP
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 4784748

Kings Manor Hotel
Reservations
100 Milton Road East
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH15 2NP
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 6690444


Budget Hotels:

Thrums Hotel
Reservations
Thrums Hotel
14-15 Minto Street
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH9 1RQ
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 6675545

Aonach Mor Guest House
Mr Birnie
14 Kilmaurs Terrace
Edinburgh
City of Edinburgh
EH16 5DR
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 6678694

Mackenzie Guest House
Mr Danny Tang
Mackenzie Guest House
2 East Hermitage Place
Edinburgh
Edinburgh & Lothians
EH6 8AA
Scotland
Tel: +44 (131) 554 3763