Rugby in Scotland's capital
Edinburgh is known for its castle, its festivals and its hills, but for many people who live here, rugby comes first. Scottish Gas Murrayfield, in the west end of the city, is Scotland's national stadium and the home of Scottish rugby. On Six Nations days, the walk out along the main roads from the centre becomes a river of tartan, with pipers, scarves and a sense of occasion that is hard to match.
Single, living around Edinburgh and keen to meet someone who cares about rugby as much as you? Start here. The grounds and neighbourhoods we name simply help describe the city.
Murrayfield and Edinburgh Rugby
Murrayfield is home to the Scottish Rugby Union and the national team, and Edinburgh Rugby also play there. That means rugby at the ground through much of the season, not only on international weekends. For a first date with a fellow fan, a club match is often more relaxed than an international.
Clubs around the city
Edinburgh has a long tradition of club rugby, with sides spread across the city and the surrounding towns. Many run women's, junior and social teams. The Scottish Borders, a short drive or train ride south, have some of the deepest rugby roots in the country. If you have moved to the city, a local club is a friendly way to meet people.
First date ideas in Edinburgh
- A walk up Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill. Great views and plenty of time to talk.
- An Edinburgh Rugby match at Murrayfield. Relaxed, and a good test of whether you enjoy watching together.
- Coffee in Stockbridge. A pleasant neighbourhood for a short first meeting.
- A stroll along the Water of Leith. Quiet, green and easy to reach.
- A club fixture with a drink in the clubhouse. Grassroots rugby at its friendliest.
- A pub screening of an away match. Best when your loyalties will not clash.
Getting around on big days
When Scotland play at home, the roads and trams heading west are very busy, and pubs near the ground fill early. For a brand new date on a Test weekend, meet in town rather than near the ground and sort your journey home in advance. Better still, save the first coffee for a weekend when Scotland are away.
Describing Edinburgh on your profile
Name your neighbourhood, your side if you have one and your favourite place to watch. "Leith, plays for a social side, usually at Murrayfield for Edinburgh games" tells a reader much more than "Edinburgh". Hold back anything that pinpoints your flat or office.
Opening lines for Edinburgh rugby people
- "Murrayfield for internationals or club games: which do you enjoy more?"
- "Best pub in Edinburgh for a big match?"
- "Have you ever made the trip down to the Borders for a sevens tournament?"
- "Calton Hill or Arthur's Seat for a post-match walk?"
The Scottish rugby year
League rugby fills the dark months, Test matches arrive each November and Scotland host Six Nations visitors every spring. Edinburgh in the spring has a particular buzz on home international weekends. The Borders sevens season is a summer highlight for many fans.
Dating across Scotland
Rugby people in Edinburgh may meet someone in Glasgow, the Borders or further afield. The two cities are close enough for regular visits, and rugby gives you plenty of reasons to travel. Our six nations guide has tips for keeping a relationship happy through the busiest weeks.
Weather and planning
Edinburgh weather can change completely in a single afternoon. For an outdoor first date, keep a backup plan indoors, and if you are watching club rugby, bring layers.
Edinburgh neighbourhoods
Edinburgh's neighbourhoods each have their own feel. Leith, by the water, is lively, with restaurants and bars along the Shore. Stockbridge, north of the New Town, is leafy and villagey with a Sunday market. Morningside and Bruntsfield in the south are relaxed and residential. Gorgie and Dalry in the west are closest to Murrayfield and fill with fans on big days. Mentioning your neighbourhood on your profile gives a reader a sense of your life without giving away too much.
The Calcutta Cup and other big days
Of all the fixtures in Edinburgh, few carry more weight than the Calcutta Cup match against England, played at Murrayfield every other year. The atmosphere is intense and the city is packed. If you are dating someone who supports the other side, this is the weekend to practise good grace in victory and defeat. Our Six Nations guide has advice for mixed loyalties.
A day out in the Borders
A trip south to the Borders makes a lovely second or third date for rugby lovers. The towns there have a proud rugby heritage, and the spring sevens tournaments draw crowds from across Scotland. Combine a match with a walk in the hills and a pub lunch, and you have a day that suits fans and non-fans alike.
Rugby people who moved to Edinburgh
The city draws students, medics, lawyers and people working in finance and tech from all over the UK and beyond. Many arrive with a club and a team from elsewhere. Edinburgh's clubs are used to welcoming newcomers, and a training night or a social is a good way to settle in. On your profile, say where you are from and which team you grew up with; it is a natural conversation starter.
Winter evenings in the capital
Edinburgh winters are dark by late afternoon. Cosy pubs in the Old Town, a concert, a comedy night or a warming dinner make good alternatives to an outdoor first date between November and March.
Glasgow and the west
Edinburgh and Glasgow are close enough for regular visits by train, and a rugby couple split between the two cities is common. Glasgow Warriors play in the west, so a friendly rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow supporters can add some fun to a relationship, especially when the two teams meet.
Safety
Stay somewhere busy for the first few dates and make your own plans to get home. Anyone who mentions money troubles, or claims spare Calcutta Cup seats, should be treated with caution. Our safety guide has more advice.
Other city guides
Going south? There are guides to London and Twickenham and Cardiff, and the locations hub covers the rest of the country.
Your Edinburgh rugby match
From the castle to the west end, Edinburgh is full of people who love rugby. Signup Here and meet someone who would brave a cold evening at Murrayfield with you.