Compiled by Noel Byrne & Adrian Harmon, AA Roadwatch
Main pic courtesy of Scottish Rugby
It’s quite easy to get to the Murrayfield stadium in Edinburgh whether in a car, bus, tram or on foot.
Whoever Scotland are playing, there will be a big crowd at the game and it’s recommended that ticket holders arrive at the turnstiles no later than 30 minutes before kick-off to make sure you get to your seat before the action gets underway.
Tram
The tram stops opposite Murrayfield on Roseburn St and it’s very simple to get there from Edinburgh city centre.
It takes just five minutes on the tram to get from Princes St in the city centre to Murrayfield. This is probably your easiest option to get to the ground. Trams run at least every five to six minutes immediately before and after the game. Keep in mind though that a lot of people will be using the tram service so allow plenty of time.
For more information and for tram timetables visit here.
Bus
After the tram, a lot of people may use the bus to get around. The main terminal is situated in the city centre on St Andrew’s St. There are usually extra services on match days.
The following services stop close to Murrayfield:
- Lothian Buses: 1, 2, 22, 30 stop at Westfield Rd. 3, 25, 33, 38 stop at Gorgie Rd. 12, 26, 31 stop at Corstorphine Rd.
- First Bus: 21A, 22, 38, 38A stop at Corstorphine Rd.
- Scottish Citylink: The 900 stops at Corstorphine Rd.
- AIRLINK: The 100 stops at Corstorphine Rd.
Car
There are a limited number of parking spaces available at Murrayfield but passes must be purchased in advance. You can buy them online here up until the day before the game. Car park passes cannot be bought on match day. Bear in mind these spaces are available to standard sized cars only. Minibuses, coaches and motorhomes are not allowed to use these parking spaces.
Alternatively, you can use one of the Park & Ride facilities, including FerryToll P&R (1,040 spaces), Ingliston P&R (1,085) and Hermiston P&R (450 spaces). The parking itself at all three of these is free and most services run shuttle buses from early morning to late at night.
Road Closures & Parking Restrictions
As you’d expect with any such event, there are a number of road closures and parking restrictions in place for the match. It’s best to keep an eye on the City of Edinburgh Council’s website for news of these.
Pubs To Watch The Match
If you’re one of the unlucky few not to have a ticket for the big match at Murrayfield, fear not. Here you’ll find a number of the best spots in town to cheer on the boys in green.
You’ll find out pretty quickly upon arrival that a lot of the city’s pubs are based around the Grassmarket/ Cowgate area. Three Irish bars in particular are great spots to catch every second of the game in an atmosphere topped only by Murrayfield itself.
One such pub is The Three Sisters, which always has a buzzing atmosphere at the best of times. Amp that up on match days and you have the perfect place to cheer on Joe and co. Book a seat in the Beer Hall for ultimate match comfort.
Also in Grassmarket is Biddy Mulligans which, like The Three Sisters, offers food, drink and guaranteed craic. As you can imagine, like any Irish Bar, on match day it can get a little crowded. Luckily if you’re on the ball, you can book a booth and enjoy the game in comfort (WARNING: May draw envious stares from those left standing).
Close to Edinburgh University and a stone’s throw from Cowgate and Grassmarket is Malone’s Irish Bar. It’s massive inside and full of rugby fans of all nations come match day so there’s friendly banter aplenty.
Across Northgate Bridge in New Town you’ll find the Queen’s Arms on Frederick St. A popular spot with Scottish fans, this cosy pub offers all you need to enjoy the match in quirky surroundings. They also offer a good selection of ales and whiskies.
On your way from the city centre towards Murrayfield, you’ll find Teuchter’s. A traditional pub on William St in the West End, it’s a popular stop-off point for people on the way to the stadium. There’s a great atmosphere throughout the Six Nations Championship however, like anywhere on match day, you can expect a large crowd.
If you’re looking for somewhere a little closer to the action then look no further than Murrayfield Bar, which is a short walk away from the stadium on Roseburn Terrace. The bar has been a popular spot with rugby fans for years and is sure have an electric atmosphere throughout the match weekend
Image Credit: Conor Lawless. Used under CC licence.
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