Some trams swap advertisers quickly, some keep the exact same advert for a long time and then there is Edinburgh Trams 251! This tram is in a completely different category as although its had a long association with the same advertiser – St James Quarter – it often sees changes to some of its vinyls and is now on its eighth different iteration.
251’s association with St James Quarter started in June 2022 and whilst there was a gap from January to June 2023 as it advertised Hello Fresh it was then back to the same sponsor in June 2023 and has been carrying vinyls ever since!
The latest change has seen the full height sections promoting “FESTIVE FEASTS” as the shopping centre gets ready for Christmas.
How much longer the tram advertises St James Quarter remains to be seen as a stake in the shopping centre was recently sold to the firm behind Westfield shopping centres in London, and its set to enjoy a rebrand in the future. Whether that means adverts will be completely revised or they’ll have a completely different advertising strategy we shall see.
251 approaches Princes Street.
A close-up view of one of the full height sections.
And further along the tram with the other full height section. (All Photographs by Roy Calderwood, 8th November 2025)