The past week or so has seen two new adverts unveiled on trams in Edinburgh – one is a second design for the same sponsor whist the other sees a brand new advertiser on the trams although with a link to another regular advertiser.
The first of the trams to receive a new advert is 251. This tram has been advertising St James Quarter since June 2022 and it is still advertising the shopping centre but now features a new design. This design includes a purple-y background and tells us that St James Quarter is the place to be seen. It is also advertising an event/promotion taking place between 3rd and 6th November.
This is the sixth different design to have been applied to 251 since the first for Edinburgh Trams’ Tramspotting promotion in January 2017. Other advertisers have been CR Smith (May 2018-February 2019), Edinburgh Live (February 2019-November 2019), American Express (November 2019-March 2020) and the first St James Quarter (June 2022-October 2022).
260 is also now sporting a new advert with BT taking out a contract on the tram. Replacing an advert for Spotify (only in place since August) the advert publicises BT’s support of Scottish rugby using the by-line “Proud sponsors of the unbreakable spirit of Scottish Rugby”. BT have been a long-standing sponsor of the Scottish national team and this also extends to a sponsorship of Murrayfield Stadium. Scottish Rugby have been an advertiser on the trams before – indeed 261 still retains an advert.
260 has now had four adverts in its operating career. Starting off with one for CR Smith (August 2017-December 2019), Johnnie Walker #jointthepact (December 2019-August 2022) and Spotify (August 2022-October 2022).
251 in its new advert for St James Quarter at West End when bound for the Airport.
A side-on view of the tram’s new advert.
Another shot of 251, this time showing one of the full height ads.
This is 260’s new look. The tram is passing Jenners’ corner on its way to St Andrew Square.
A look at 260 when standing at St Andrew Square showing part of the side section of the advert. (All Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 21st October 2022)