Rugby in Edinburgh: Complete Guide to Clubs, Training & Facilities | 2025

Rugby in Edinburgh: Complete Guide to Clubs, Pitches & Training for All Ages

Edinburgh, Scotland’s historic capital, offers a thriving rugby scene against the backdrop of its iconic castle and dramatic cityscape. From the professional heights of Edinburgh Rugby at the DAM Health Stadium to community pitches in suburbs like Corstorphine and Portobello, the city provides exceptional facilities for players of all ages and abilities. This comprehensive guide covers everything from junior rugby clubs in Edinburgh to women’s teams in Leith, helping you find the perfect rugby opportunity in Scotland’s rugby heartland.

Rugby Union Clubs in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a stronghold of Scottish rugby union, with clubs at every level of the game:

Edinburgh Rugby – Professional URC team based at the DAM Health Stadium with pathways to elite rugby
Edinburgh Academicals – The oldest rugby club in Scotland, founded in 1857, based at Raeburn Place in Stockbridge
Boroughmuir RFC – Prestigious club at Meggetland Sports Complex with excellent facilities
Heriot’s Rugby Club – Historic club at Goldenacre with comprehensive youth programs
Stewart’s Melville RFC – Community club with excellent facilities at Inverleith
Watsonians RFC – Based at Myreside in Merchiston with teams across all age groups
Edinburgh Northern RFC – Inclusive community club in Trinity and Leith areas
Lismore RFC – Welcoming club with grounds at Inch Park in Liberton
Murrayfield Wanderers – Club with strong women’s section based near the national stadium

Rugby for Children in Edinburgh

Edinburgh offers outstanding opportunities for children to begin their rugby journey:

Rugby Tots and Mini Rugby in Edinburgh

For the youngest players (ages 2-7), several clubs and organizations run specialized programs:

Rugby Tots Edinburgh – Professional toddler rugby program running sessions in Morningside, Corstorphine, and Portobello
Edinburgh Rugby Community Program – Introduction to rugby sessions at various city locations for ages 3-6
Stewart’s Melville Minis – Weekend sessions for ages 4-6 at Inverleith
Boroughmuir Micros – Saturday morning sessions at Meggetland for ages 3-5

Junior Rugby Clubs in Edinburgh

For children aged 7-16, structured junior rugby is available across Edinburgh’s neighborhoods:

Heriot’s Youth Rugby – Comprehensive age-group teams from P3 to U18
Edinburgh BATs – Partnership youth program between Edinburgh Academy, Broughton and Trinity
Boroughmuir Juniors – Strong youth section with excellent coaching
Watsonians Youth – Development pathway at Myreside
Lismore Youth Rugby – Community-focused youth rugby in south Edinburgh

Women’s Rugby in Edinburgh

Women’s rugby is flourishing in Edinburgh, with dedicated teams and beginners’ sessions:

Murrayfield Wanderers Ladies – One of Scotland’s most successful women’s teams
Heriot’s Blues Women – Competitive team with development squad
Broughton Women – Welcoming team with beginners’ programs
Watsonians Women – Strong women’s section at Myreside
Edinburgh University Women’s Rugby – Competitive university team welcoming students
Edinburgh Northern Ladies – Community team focused on player development

Rugby Pitches and Training Facilities in Edinburgh

Edinburgh boasts excellent rugby facilities across the city:

DAM Health Stadium – Home of Edinburgh Rugby adjacent to Murrayfield
BT Murrayfield – Scotland’s national stadium with training pitches
Raeburn Place – Historic ground of Edinburgh Academicals in Stockbridge
Meggetland Sports Complex – Boroughmuir’s excellent facilities
Goldenacre – Heriot’s home ground with multiple pitches
Inverleith Park – Community pitches near Stockbridge
Peffermill Playing Fields – University of Edinburgh sports grounds
Inch Park – South Edinburgh pitches used by Lismore RFC
Malleny Park – Currie Rugby Club’s ground in the southwestern suburbs

Rugby Shops and Equipment in Edinburgh

For equipment and merchandise, Edinburgh offers several options:

Scottish Rugby Store – Official merchandise at BT Murrayfield Stadium
Edinburgh Rugby Club Shop – Team merchandise at DAM Health Stadium
Greaves Sports – Specialist equipment on Frederick Street
Decathlon Edinburgh – Comprehensive range at Fort Kinnaird
Sports Direct – Budget-friendly options at Fort Kinnaird Retail Park
Intersport – Quality rugby gear at Cameron Toll Shopping Centre

Rugby Academies and Coaching in Edinburgh

Dedicated players can access specialized coaching through:

Edinburgh Rugby Academy – Elite pathway for talented youngsters
Scottish Rugby Regional Academy – Development programs at Heriot-Watt University
Edinburgh University Rugby Academy – High-performance pathway combined with education
Private Rugby Coaching – Several professional coaches offer one-to-one sessions across Edinburgh, particularly in Morningside and Stockbridge areas
Rugby Performance Schools – Programs at Merchiston Castle School and Stewart’s Melville College

Alternative Rugby Formats in Edinburgh

Beyond traditional rugby, Edinburgh offers:

Touch Rugby – Non-contact leagues run at Inverleith Park and The Meadows
Tag Rugby – Popular in schools and summer leagues across the city
Walking Rugby – Sessions for older players at Lismore RFC and Edinburgh Northern
Beach Rugby – Summer events at Portobello Beach

Whether you’re searching for junior rugby clubs in Morningside, women’s teams in Leith, or walking rugby in Corstorphine, Edinburgh’s diverse rugby landscape offers opportunities for everyone. With the majestic Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle providing a dramatic backdrop, rugby continues to thrive in Scotland’s historic capital, embracing players of all ages and abilities in the shadow of the nation’s rugby shrine, BT Murrayfield.