Saturday 5th November was the second of Scotland’s Rugby Union Autumn Internationals at BT Murrayfield and like the previous week an enhanced service was in operation on the trams network with a service running up to every 3 minutes in the lead-up to and following the match. This week there seemed to be no complaints from people using the tram either. In this pictorial article we take a look at some of the sights around the city centre as fans made their way to the match. Photos from Roy Calderwood.
273 (with an advert for Heverlee Lager) has arrived from the Airport and before it can depart to perform the reversing manoeuvre at York Place, the next tram in the shape of 268 has already caught up with the following terminating service. The building in the background with flags is the one time British Linen Bank Head Office (most recently a Bank of Scotland branch) and now Gleneagles Townhouse Hotel.
Just under two hours to kick-off but crowds are gathering on the far side of the platform to take the tram through the city centre to BT Murrayfield Stadium.
273 is now back at St Andrew Square and passengers pour on through the front door. Note also the poppy in the cab window.
Princes Street was also a busy platform in the lead up to kick-off with a queue for trams leading off the end of the platform. The left hand tram, 265, is heading to Murrayfield and then the Airport whilst 259 is working to St Andrew Square, before long it too will be crammed with fans on the way to the rugby.
Publicity for the tram service to get you to Murrayfield during the Autumn Internationals. As well as the tram, extra buses are also put on both Lothian Buses (including part route 31 and 22 services from the city centre and the X12 from Ingliston Park and Ride).
256 is held at the traffic lights just before Haymarket. (All Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 5th November 2022)