The Six Nations Championship is back and once again Murrayfield Stadium will be the home venue for Scotland home matches – this year hosting three games against Italy, Ireland and Wales. The first of these matches took place on Saturday 1st February 2025 and as ever that sees Edinburgh Trams run more regular services to get the sell out crowds to the venue, which conveniently has its very own tramstop. Photos of some of these workings come in this article courtesy of Roy Calderwood.
- The enhanced service ran again on Sunday 9th February for the match against Ireland and will also run on Saturday 8th March when Wales are the visitors.
Whilst trams heading towards the Airport (and going via Murrayfield Stadium) from the city centre are very busy in the lead up to kick-off, those heading to Newhaven are a bit quieter as we see in this view of 272 (adverts for West Craigs Village development) which is about to turn left on to South Saint Andrew Street. The large former department store on the corner was built circa 1906. Its hoped this will have a new life for a hotel and retail development but work has yet to commence.
At Princes Street we see trams carrying in different directions. On the far side is 257 in a wrap for Edinburgh Napier University is going to Newhaven whilst closer to us is one of the two Royal Yacht Britannia adverted trams (either 263 or 274) which is off to the Airport. The 1960s building behind with the blinds is the New Club.
Its around an hour and three quarters until kick-off time and Princes Street stop is busy as people wait for a tram to arrive to take them to the match. On the far side of the platform 260 is going the other way to Newhaven – this tram carries adverts for Scottish Rugby and hopefully won’t catch out any unwary passengers who just see the vinyls!
Another picture at Princes Street as those heading to the rugby are about to get the chance to make their way to Murrayfield with 258 arriving on its way to the Airport. On the far side is 276 which will go to Newhaven and on its return may just pick up some late stragglers for the rugby.
An Edinburgh Trams member of staff supervises boarding of 258 at Princes Street as a few more passengers try to squeeze on for a journey which could go as far as the Airport but for most the likelihood is they’ll be getting off at Murrayfield. In the distance is the Nelson Monument, then the Balmoral Hotel clock tower and closest is the Scott Monument.
Just 40 minutes to kick-off now and 257 (adverts for Edinburgh Napier University) is making its way towards Murrayfield and the Airport as it calls at West End. (All Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 1st February 2025)