Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
RUGBY
The home field of Scotland's national rugby team is
Murrayfield Stadium
(
&
0131/346-5000;
www.scottishrugby.org), about 3km (2 miles) west of Edin-
burgh's city center (walking distance from Haymarket station). The sport is usually
played from fall to spring, generally on Saturdays. Some of the most passionate
matches are those among teams in the annual Six Nations competition comprising
Scotland, Wales, England, Ireland, Italy, and France. Ticket prices range from
around £25 to £40.
Other Activities
BICYCLING
Bicycles are used by a surprising number of people in Edinburgh, despite the many
hills and cobbled streets. The city is linked to the national cycle path system, and
you can use it to get to many places on off-road and on-road lanes. Rent bikes from
Rent-a-Bike Edinburgh,
29 Blackfriars St., near High Street (
&
0131/556-
5560;
www.cyclescotland.co.uk; bus: 35). Depending on the type of bike, charges
range between £10 to £15 per day or up to £70 for the week. Part-day rentals are
possible. A credit card imprint will be taken as security. The same company runs
Scottish Cycle Safaris,
which organizes tours in the city and across Scotland.
GOLF
Aside from the
Bruntsfield Links,
where all you need is a ball, one lofted club, and
a putter, Edinburgh's environs offer a host of attractive golf clubs and courses. It
always pays to call a day or two, preferably, in advance to reserve a tee time and
confirm greens fees. Among those run by the city are
Silverknowes Golf Course,
Silverknowes Parkway (
&
0131/336-3843
), a 6,202-yard course above the Firth of
Forth;
Braid Hills
(
&
0131/447-6666
), about 5km (3 miles) south of Edin-
burgh's city center, just beyond Morningside; and
Carrick Knowe,
Glen Devon
Park (
&
0131/337-1096
), just west of Murrayfield Stadium. Weekday rates for 18
holes are typically about £15, with rental clubs for about £16.
SAILING
Not far from Edinburgh is the
Port Edgar Sailing Centre
in South Queensferry
(
&
0131/331-3330;
www.portedgar.co.uk). From spring to fall, it offers sailing
instruction and boat rental to qualified sailors.
SPORTS COMPLEXES, GYMS & POOLS
The
Meadowbank Sports Centre,
London Road (
&
0131/661-5351;
www.
edinburghleisure.co.uk), was built when the city hosted the Commonwealth Games
in 1970. Then state-of-the-art, it still offers a good gym, track, and soccer fields. It
costs about £5 to use the weight room. For swimming, the Olympic-size indoor pool
at the
Royal
Commonwealth Pool,
21 Dalkeith Rd. (
&
0131/667-7211
), is the
best in the city.
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