Edinburgh International Climbing Arena: Ratho

“Amazing place. If you are any kind of climber this is worth the effort to get to. It is tricky to get there and with the Scottish weather it was a challenge to walk the last mile in sideways rain down a canal. But I imagine on a more clement day a more pleasant walk. Though I would imagine with plenty of midges. Once you get there it is an easy in. Pleasant helpful staff l. A nice coffee bar, changing rooms and showers. You need a pound for the lockers though. There are 3 bouldering areas and the main walls all of which have a good range of climbs on them. Some leading walls and auto belays. I could have spent a lot longer here had I more than my boot. Would recommend and definitely visit again. Though possibly hire a car as public transport from the middle of Edinburgh is a mission.”

“Where do I even begin! This place is insane! Wonderful community and instructors; high quality, challenging and diverse facilities from gyms, to climbing walls and bouldering rooms; clean and well-maintained rentable equipment (shoes, helmets, harnesses etc); and great places to sit and relax after a climbing session. I did the introduction to climbing 2 hour course with Ian and I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking to make climbing a new sport. Great explanation on the equipment and safety regulations as well as climbing advice too! A great amount of time to practice too! Also shout out to Alan, with his monster hat (Simon). Provided really sound technical advice. Such a great facility I attended 3 days in a row!”

“Fantastic facility. My 6 year old loved the clip and climb. Don't expect to get much climbing done if you're guiding them!”

“Amazing climbing gym in a unique location. The walls are the talles I've seen "indoor". Plenty of different type of wall from slabs to overhangs all in an epic setting. My only complaint is the state of the holds. It seems the routes are not very frequently reset(and therefor cleaned) as some of the dates on the route grade board is up to 6 month old. It clearly shows as some holds have so much rubber on that it might as well be a no-tex hold. I understand its a huge undertaking and expense to reset a gym of this size, but I feel it is expected in this day and age. All in all amazing place and will visit again if in the area.”