Where can I stick a finish line in Edinburgh?
Discussion
Other than "bend over and I'll show ya", "nowhere", "Asda" and "Glasgow", I'm looking for actual (and some occasional hilarious) points, places or venues that actually serve as a place I could finish our road trip in Edinburgh in June. It's turning into a real PITA and I'm spending waaaay too much time on this relatively small (and hopefully potentially-easy to solve with some local-knowledge) aspect when hours are demanded by much more urgent tasks (such as choosing bands!).
Let's look at what we'd ideally need:
Car park or a place to park 30-40 cars together.
Ability to place a few flags up to signify a finishing spot for the drivers.
And ideally want:
Food and refreshments.
Central-location with exclusive use.
Initially I searched for an Ace Cafe-type set-up where food and a car park would be straightforward as this is where we start from in London, however, Edinburgh doesn't have a clone and if they did, the car park would be worth millions and quite simply they wouldn't have one. I then considered just a car park. NCP have two, one outdoors at Castle Terrace and one near Holyrood (multi-storey). Castle Terrace seems the more suitable option but it wouldn't be exclusive and no food without a walk. Holyrood is a bit tucked away and entering a multi-story to finish a four-day drive seems like a bit of an anti-climax.
It would be a Sunday so street-parking is a free-for-all so roads like George Street would be the perfect scenario, but the council cannot reserve the spaces with a TTRO as its a Sunday. I could arrange it with the council and a private traffic-management company but this would cost a lot for what it is. I could close the road with a TTRO for some real exclusivity but the price gets steeper and its all a bit crazy - I would also need another company to come in an enforce the TTRO - even more £££. I don't fancy getting cars towed away. Would make me a huge asshole.
A couple of hotels have car parks but they are towards the 'upper-end' and wouldn't want to disrupt customers. A local school is a central-option but once again, no food and its a bloody school.
Anyone familiar with the city have any ideas? Anyone been on group-road trips have anything to throw in that might re-shape the idea into something more feasible? Or shall I look for a suitable hook on which to hang my noose? Potentially an easier option if I tie it correctly.
Thanks in advance for the few useful tips and the wave of abuse. Much appreciated!
Let's look at what we'd ideally need:
Car park or a place to park 30-40 cars together.
Ability to place a few flags up to signify a finishing spot for the drivers.
And ideally want:
Food and refreshments.
Central-location with exclusive use.
Initially I searched for an Ace Cafe-type set-up where food and a car park would be straightforward as this is where we start from in London, however, Edinburgh doesn't have a clone and if they did, the car park would be worth millions and quite simply they wouldn't have one. I then considered just a car park. NCP have two, one outdoors at Castle Terrace and one near Holyrood (multi-storey). Castle Terrace seems the more suitable option but it wouldn't be exclusive and no food without a walk. Holyrood is a bit tucked away and entering a multi-story to finish a four-day drive seems like a bit of an anti-climax.
It would be a Sunday so street-parking is a free-for-all so roads like George Street would be the perfect scenario, but the council cannot reserve the spaces with a TTRO as its a Sunday. I could arrange it with the council and a private traffic-management company but this would cost a lot for what it is. I could close the road with a TTRO for some real exclusivity but the price gets steeper and its all a bit crazy - I would also need another company to come in an enforce the TTRO - even more £££. I don't fancy getting cars towed away. Would make me a huge asshole.
A couple of hotels have car parks but they are towards the 'upper-end' and wouldn't want to disrupt customers. A local school is a central-option but once again, no food and its a bloody school.
Anyone familiar with the city have any ideas? Anyone been on group-road trips have anything to throw in that might re-shape the idea into something more feasible? Or shall I look for a suitable hook on which to hang my noose? Potentially an easier option if I tie it correctly.
Thanks in advance for the few useful tips and the wave of abuse. Much appreciated!
https://goo.gl/maps/9nMzmDWstopqTMHQ7
Calton Hill. There is a cafe, amazing views and it's just a short walk down to princes street. Not sure how parking works, on google earth there is a van up there, and plenty of tarmac. I've driven up there back in the day but Edinburgh seems to hate cars now.
Or this little car park down by Salisbury Crag/Holyrood/Scottish PArliament. My Dynamic Earth will have some food available.
https://goo.gl/maps/MJ8ejqx19MLFt9YE8
Calton Hill. There is a cafe, amazing views and it's just a short walk down to princes street. Not sure how parking works, on google earth there is a van up there, and plenty of tarmac. I've driven up there back in the day but Edinburgh seems to hate cars now.
Or this little car park down by Salisbury Crag/Holyrood/Scottish PArliament. My Dynamic Earth will have some food available.
https://goo.gl/maps/MJ8ejqx19MLFt9YE8
Without shutting a street your not getting parking for that many cars in central edinburgh on a sunday.
If you can afford it do it.
Somewhere like Dobbies garden centre is a possibility. There is a pub at the end of the car park called the Melville for food.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uKoCzqKLMrgpUJk99
Its not central but might fit the bill and is close to the city bypass
If you can afford it do it.
Somewhere like Dobbies garden centre is a possibility. There is a pub at the end of the car park called the Melville for food.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/uKoCzqKLMrgpUJk99
Its not central but might fit the bill and is close to the city bypass
Wild suggestion:
The Castle Esplanade - https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/venue-hire
Occasionally for events/corporate photoshoots from time to time. They'll be starting to put the Tattoo stands up soon though.
Sensible suggestions:
Hopetoun House - http://hopetoun.co.uk/corporate-events/
Ingliston - https://www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk/hire-venue/
Quite a few private schools near the city centre have the space in the grounds but might not be willing.
The Castle Esplanade - https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/venue-hire
Occasionally for events/corporate photoshoots from time to time. They'll be starting to put the Tattoo stands up soon though.
Sensible suggestions:
Hopetoun House - http://hopetoun.co.uk/corporate-events/
Ingliston - https://www.royalhighlandcentre.co.uk/hire-venue/
Quite a few private schools near the city centre have the space in the grounds but might not be willing.
Free options for parking:
If you go to the Leith side of Edinburgh you will have a lot more flexibility for parking.
Ocean terminal has a free multi-story car park
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ocean+Terminal/@...
follow the map to the left a bit and you have an asda leith car park
Left a bit more and you have the Loch Fine seafood and Brewers faire car parks
If you want to be a bit more central then your best bet is on street parking by the burns monument on regent road
https://www.google.com/maps/place/1759+Regent+Rd,+...
If you go to the Leith side of Edinburgh you will have a lot more flexibility for parking.
Ocean terminal has a free multi-story car park
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Ocean+Terminal/@...
follow the map to the left a bit and you have an asda leith car park
Left a bit more and you have the Loch Fine seafood and Brewers faire car parks
If you want to be a bit more central then your best bet is on street parking by the burns monument on regent road
https://www.google.com/maps/place/1759+Regent+Rd,+...
Edited by PH_Greg on Friday 26th April 01:48
Most public places with that much parking are going to be very busy in June on a Sunday unless the weather is atrocious, eg Holyrood Park, South Queensferry.
There is a reasonable car park at the Forth Road Bridge visitor centre (South Queensferry, but above and away from the busy pier area) with great views over the Firth, although not sure if it is still open to the public.
Hopetoun as suggested above is a good shout if you could reserve a bit exclusively, but it will be busy on a Sunday in June.
There is free road parking in front of Fettes College at the weekend which is quite a smart backdrop, but it's either side of a road so would be disrupted a lot for an event - and it can be busier if the weather is good with visitors to surrounding sports events and parks.
Murrayfield might be worth approaching if there is not something on that day - plenty space to park and a "big name", although not that much else.
The suggestion of independent schools made above is good - some, like George Heriots, are used for Festival venues so may be more open to it.
There is a reasonable car park at the Forth Road Bridge visitor centre (South Queensferry, but above and away from the busy pier area) with great views over the Firth, although not sure if it is still open to the public.
Hopetoun as suggested above is a good shout if you could reserve a bit exclusively, but it will be busy on a Sunday in June.
There is free road parking in front of Fettes College at the weekend which is quite a smart backdrop, but it's either side of a road so would be disrupted a lot for an event - and it can be busier if the weather is good with visitors to surrounding sports events and parks.
Murrayfield might be worth approaching if there is not something on that day - plenty space to park and a "big name", although not that much else.
The suggestion of independent schools made above is good - some, like George Heriots, are used for Festival venues so may be more open to it.
I have seen some classic Bentley clubs in the past using the ground outside Malmasion at the shore in Leith , might be worth contacting them.
https://www.malmaison.com/locations/edinburgh/
https://www.malmaison.com/locations/edinburgh/
Just to close this topic and to finish up with the end result, and because of my pet hate of people never returning to inform everyone of what actually happened, I have sorted it!
I have got a finish line, nibbles and refreshments all sorted on the Sunday at Engine710, right next to the Bridges.
We have exclusivity, food and an area big enough to park 30 cars, along with a cool building, great location and very understanding owners.
What a result!
Would like to thank all those who contributed, it gave me ideas with which led me to dig and find Engine710.
My road trip now has an end! Hurrah!
I have got a finish line, nibbles and refreshments all sorted on the Sunday at Engine710, right next to the Bridges.
We have exclusivity, food and an area big enough to park 30 cars, along with a cool building, great location and very understanding owners.
What a result!
Would like to thank all those who contributed, it gave me ideas with which led me to dig and find Engine710.
My road trip now has an end! Hurrah!
I grew up loving the Gumball 3000. The Cannonball Run. What these events did was to combine the love of motoring with a sense of adventure. Being part of something new and exciting. Meeting other like-minded individuals and sharing the experience.
Sadly, events like the Gumball 3000 and the Cannonball Run are way out of my league and I would guess, a lot of guys. Not to be disheartened, I decided that the best way of being part of something like this, was to create something like this. So I created the event that I'd like to take part in, charging no more than I would be able to afford as a participant and in whatever car I wanted to.
Low-cost events like these, or 'banger rallies' are fun, sure, but it's not for me. Spending hours nursing a £300 banger along a French motorway just to scrap it in Spain is not something I'd enjoy. Each to his own. I decided that it needed to be kept within the UK to save on ferry-crossings. I decided it needed to include the best driving roads. I decided we needed tents.
If you can bare to read more after the 'T' word, click my bio and head on a journey through the event structure and blog entries. A mystical-world of road-legal race cars, inflatable-structures, live-music next to Lochs and more...
Enjoy the read!
Sadly, events like the Gumball 3000 and the Cannonball Run are way out of my league and I would guess, a lot of guys. Not to be disheartened, I decided that the best way of being part of something like this, was to create something like this. So I created the event that I'd like to take part in, charging no more than I would be able to afford as a participant and in whatever car I wanted to.
Low-cost events like these, or 'banger rallies' are fun, sure, but it's not for me. Spending hours nursing a £300 banger along a French motorway just to scrap it in Spain is not something I'd enjoy. Each to his own. I decided that it needed to be kept within the UK to save on ferry-crossings. I decided it needed to include the best driving roads. I decided we needed tents.
If you can bare to read more after the 'T' word, click my bio and head on a journey through the event structure and blog entries. A mystical-world of road-legal race cars, inflatable-structures, live-music next to Lochs and more...
Enjoy the read!
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