How to get here.

The Riccarton campus is situated to the west of Edinburgh near Currie, between the A70 and A71. (Map of West Edinburgh, the campus is near the village of Hermiston). An old but good map of the campus is here: Campus Map (black and white) or Campus Map (colour); alternatively, try the current downgraded and incomprehensible university version Campus Map.

Further information about public transport is at Traveline Scotland.

By Car

Join the Edinburgh City Bypass and leave it at the Calder junction onto the A71 westbound (signposted Heriot-Watt University). Then follow signs for the university. NB a new park and ride bus scheme has recently opened just near the entrance to the university. This is not shown on the map, so the road layout is a bit different to the map, but the signs will get you here. The main entrance to the university is still the big roundabout on Riccarton Mains Rd.

There are no restrictions or charges at the moment on parking in the main visitors car park, which is on the right as you enter the campus from the big roundabout at the main entrance.

By Train

Arriving by the East Coast line at the main Waverley Station in the city centre, walk up the steps to Princes Street and walk west along Princes Street until you reach a bus stop where Lothian Buses 25, or 34, see below, is indicated. Arriving from the West, it is slightly quicker to alight at Haymarket Station, walk 100m east towards a large road junction (Haymarket), turn right and cross the Dalry road to reach a Lothian Buses 25 bus stop. Local trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow Central via Shotts stop at Curriehill Station which is a fifteen to twenty-minute walk from the campus.

By Bus

Lothian Buses services 25, 34 and 45 run between the city centre and the James Watt Centre on the campus. All these bus routes terminate at the campus, so you can simply sit on the bus until it is clearly no longer going anywhere. Exact fare must be tendered - at present (March 2009) the fare is £1.20 from the city centre, on any route.

The 25 runs along Princes Street (by Waverley Station) and also serves Haymarket Station (approximately 10 minutes after Waverley Station). The journey time to Riccarton is approximately 35 minutes from Waverley Station and 25 minutes from Haymarket Station.

The 34 also runs between Princes Street (by Waverley Station) and Riccarton Campus. The journey time to Riccarton is approximately 40 minutes from Waverley Station.

The 45 runs from St Andrew Square (close to the Bus Station), via the Mound and Tollcross (Tollcross is about 10 minutes after St Andrew Square) to Riccarton Campus, Mondays to Fridays only. The journey time to Riccarton is approximately 40 to 45 minutes from St Andrew Sq and 30 minutes from Tollcross.

Late buses are also available: The N25 leaves from Waverley Steps on Princes Street and runs via Haymarket.

Bus times and up-to-date information can be obtained from Lothian Buses or by telephoning 0131-555 6363.

By Taxi

A taxi from the City Centre costs about £14; normal tipping rate in the UK is 10%, but personally I don't tip taxi drivers.

By Air

From Edinburgh International Airport (Turnhouse) airport the most convenient way is by taxi, approximate cost £12, approximate time 10 minutes. From Glasgow International Airport, there are some buses direct to the centre of Edinburgh (to St Andrew's Square Bus station, walk outside and turn left into St Andrew's Square to catch the 25 to Riccarton). Alternatively take a bus or taxi to Glasgow (Buchanan St.) Station and catch a train to Edinburgh (Haymarket).

Accommodation on Campus

If you have booked accommodation on Campus, the Reception Desk in the James Watt Centre is staffed 24 hrs.

General Info on Public Transport in Scotland.

There are some pages on travel in Scotland maintained elsewhere. See also Traveline Scotland.
Please send comments and suggestions to
Bryan Rynne / Heriot-Watt University/ bryan@ma.hw.ac.uk