Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Edinburgh Waverley station needs me.

311 replies

TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 19:37

Here are the facts:

  • I go to many train stations, I never ever get confused elsewhere.
  • I never go to Waverley without walking round in a big loop in a state of confusion.
  • From observation I am not the only one.

I am prepared to provide executive advice. Payment terms are a baguette from upper crust, a bag of percy pigs from M&S and some scottish fudge from, well, somewhere that sells good fudge.

This is not actually an AIBU, because I am not being unreasonable. I am on a train leaving Edinburgh having finally found my platform. See you next time for the same fun again Waverley!

OP posts:
Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:34

Womanofcustard · 08/10/2025 20:25

To be fair, Waverley is a combination of Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central. Queen Street trains go north and east, Central goes south and east.
Waverley covers north, south and west, it therefore has many more platforms.
I’ll get my anorak ….

In all seriousness, this must be the case with many stations? Birmingham, various London ones, Yorkshire ones? And they don’t suffer the same signage affliction?
Please do get your anorak and put it on. I’m intrigued. I hope it has a sturdy hood (with a fleecy tartan lining).

OP posts:
Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:31

guinnessguzzler · 08/10/2025 20:23

Never use Waverley where Haymarket will do, as George Orwell almost said.

He was a wise mumsnetter, almost.

OP posts:
TheNightingalesStarling · 08/10/2025 20:30

It took me about 15mins and the help of Google maps to get from the train to my bus stop in the summer.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:30

RadiatorDrying · 08/10/2025 20:22

Around 20 years ago I used to pass through Waverley twice a week en route between Aberdeen & Englandshire. Or rather I did until one day I decided I’d rather chew my own arm off than deal with the insanity that is Waverley, & chose to pass through Glasgow instead.

I’m now going through Waverley again regularly (& unavoidably) & I’ve learnt that it hasn’t improved. I recently took a photo of a sign there & sent it to my best friend (who is a born & bred Londoner who negotiates multiple train stations daily) asking her which direction I should go in to get to my platform. Given that the sign pointed right she suggested right. Which is fair enough. I had to explain that a) it’s left because b) it’s Waverley 🤷🏼‍♀️

It’s also the draughtiest train station in the UK. It beats both Huddersfield & Berwick-upon-Tweed in this regard, which is a hell of a bar.

The fact that your point about right meaning left is spot on. It is so bad it is comical to read it, but it is not in any way a joke.

Huddersfield yes, and not even a nice cat now to provide distraction. Draughty is also Peterborough surely (or is that just that I’ve never had a train be on time from there. If my signage career works out, I might get promotion to overhead wires).

OP posts:
Allby · 08/10/2025 20:29

I am going on a weekend break to Edinburgh over half term.... I am now really excited just to "experience" the station 😀

NinjaOfEnnui · 08/10/2025 20:27

TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:17

WOAH WOAH WOAH. Is this a true fact or mumsnet misinformation? I can come out at John Lewis?? Hurry this way, let us share a wee dram and tell me more of this secret world.

Show quote history

Ha! Well, sort of. There's a car park and a hill between them, but yes, you come out by the car park opposite John lewis. It's the exit called Calton road or something, up some stairs. You head to the back of the station, past the mysteriously empty wasteland (having gone past Cafe Nero and the left luggage place on your left). It is sooooo much less manic that way than any of the other exits. Because no one knows it's there.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:26

LegoLandslide · 08/10/2025 20:20

I once tried to meet my sister in Edinburgh Waverley. We gave up and each got on possibly separate but possibly the same train to the other, smaller station (name escapes me?) and found each other there instead.

Pleased it's not just me!

There should be a fluorescent sign saying

THIS PLATFORM FOR HAYMARKET IF THIS IS ALL JUST TOO MUCH.

OP posts:
Womanofcustard · 08/10/2025 20:25

To be fair, Waverley is a combination of Glasgow Queen Street and Glasgow Central. Queen Street trains go north and east, Central goes south and east.
Waverley covers north, south and west, it therefore has many more platforms.
I’ll get my anorak ….

guinnessguzzler · 08/10/2025 20:23

Never use Waverley where Haymarket will do, as George Orwell almost said.

RadiatorDrying · 08/10/2025 20:22

Around 20 years ago I used to pass through Waverley twice a week en route between Aberdeen & Englandshire. Or rather I did until one day I decided I’d rather chew my own arm off than deal with the insanity that is Waverley, & chose to pass through Glasgow instead.

I’m now going through Waverley again regularly (& unavoidably) & I’ve learnt that it hasn’t improved. I recently took a photo of a sign there & sent it to my best friend (who is a born & bred Londoner who negotiates multiple train stations daily) asking her which direction I should go in to get to my platform. Given that the sign pointed right she suggested right. Which is fair enough. I had to explain that a) it’s left because b) it’s Waverley 🤷🏼‍♀️

It’s also the draughtiest train station in the UK. It beats both Huddersfield & Berwick-upon-Tweed in this regard, which is a hell of a bar.

Doidontimmm · 08/10/2025 20:22

I could set up a find your platform role? I travelled so often I guess I find it easy to follow.

I can confirm the John Lewis exit also good for the Playhouse.

ChampagneLassie · 08/10/2025 20:21

It’s a while but I’ve been through Waverly a few times s d don’t recall being confused. Maybe I was just lucky. It did take me over an hour to find my way out of a station in Tokyo once though.

LegoLandslide · 08/10/2025 20:20

I once tried to meet my sister in Edinburgh Waverley. We gave up and each got on possibly separate but possibly the same train to the other, smaller station (name escapes me?) and found each other there instead.

Pleased it's not just me!

Holidayholidayhiday · 08/10/2025 20:20

I have known Waverley station for decades and I still get lost in it. Platform 18 is my favourite.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:18

Doidontimmm · 08/10/2025 19:38

You just follow the signs??

I feel this first answer was set up to put all the following posts into context.

Yes. It should be this simple.

No. It is not this simple.

OP posts:
MiddleAgedDread · 08/10/2025 20:17

NinjaOfEnnui · 08/10/2025 20:12

I don't find it too bad now, but only tend to use the easy platforms. Platform 7 is an arse though...and it's always the one your train goes from when you're running late, and have too much luggage, a potted plant, 7 bags of percy pigs and a coffee. They make you walk half the way down to holyrood before letting you get on the train.

I recommend the magic secret exit that brings you out by John lewis. To avoid the hell that is waverley steps and the north bridge junction. Obviously only of any use if you want to go to John lewis.

There’s an exit to John Lewis??
what next……Narnia??

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:17

NinjaOfEnnui · 08/10/2025 20:12

I don't find it too bad now, but only tend to use the easy platforms. Platform 7 is an arse though...and it's always the one your train goes from when you're running late, and have too much luggage, a potted plant, 7 bags of percy pigs and a coffee. They make you walk half the way down to holyrood before letting you get on the train.

I recommend the magic secret exit that brings you out by John lewis. To avoid the hell that is waverley steps and the north bridge junction. Obviously only of any use if you want to go to John lewis.

WOAH WOAH WOAH. Is this a true fact or mumsnet misinformation? I can come out at John Lewis?? Hurry this way, let us share a wee dram and tell me more of this secret world.

OP posts:
StewkeyBlue · 08/10/2025 20:15

The random bridges… and escalators that you go down and can’t get to where you thought you were going.

it’s like a dystopian snakes and ladders game

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:15

Chocolateisameal · 08/10/2025 19:51

I am delighted to find this thread. I have spent years being lost and confused, with my misery compounded by those accompanying me complaining that they are also lost and confused but that that is somehow my fault.

OP, perhaps when you are in charge, your 1st act could be a central support tea bar area, for all the lost to congregate at. We could then be led in a human train to the correct platforms.

I feel my services will be such that this will never be required. However, we could have this for people to congregate at, to discuss The Good Old Days before people knew how to get to their train. With free shortbread.

OP posts:
Bootsineedboots · 08/10/2025 20:13

I’ve been lost there before. Asked a policeman for help and he took me in the same loop I had already tried multiple times.

StewkeyBlue · 08/10/2025 20:13

Doidontimmm · 08/10/2025 19:38

You just follow the signs??

That’s exactly how you end up in a labyrinthine odyssey

NinjaOfEnnui · 08/10/2025 20:12

I don't find it too bad now, but only tend to use the easy platforms. Platform 7 is an arse though...and it's always the one your train goes from when you're running late, and have too much luggage, a potted plant, 7 bags of percy pigs and a coffee. They make you walk half the way down to holyrood before letting you get on the train.

I recommend the magic secret exit that brings you out by John lewis. To avoid the hell that is waverley steps and the north bridge junction. Obviously only of any use if you want to go to John lewis.

Strop · 08/10/2025 20:11

Grew up in Edinburgh and was genuinely surprised when I moved away to university that not all big cities have such bamboozling stations.

OdeToTheNorthWestWind · 08/10/2025 20:09

TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:03

I fear that if you have not suffered the pain of The Circular Walk of Waverley (this could be set to a jig), you don’t know what you are letting yourself in for. I’m not sure it would be fair to rope you in on such false promises.

Show quote history

Thank Heavens for that, Tall. Having read some of the other comments, I was beginning to worry that you would take me up on the offer! 😬

If you're going to set it to a jig, you could use the Parson's Farewell for the music as it gets faster and faster until everyone collapses in a heap🤔

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 20:08

JoanOgden · 08/10/2025 19:59

Yes exactly! I can get onto a train at Waverley successfully (after some practice) but get hopelessly baffled on arrival.

When you've sorted Waverley, can I direct your attentions to St Pancras? Totally unclear which is the upper platforms for Kent and which for the Midlands, with the added bonus of the secret Thameslink platforms in the basement.

Show quote history

This is kind of my point. I use St P a lot. Never have a problem.

Waverley is the priority.

Once that is done I shall do a poll to identify where next, and work out my applicable charges (St P will be a glass of very expensive champagne from the bar next to the upstairs platforms. Plus nibbles. Where one olive is more than most peoples mortgage).

OP posts: