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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 19:46

NearCanongate · 08/10/2025 19:45

May I offer to assist this worthy endeavour?

I walk through it most days and I see so many people looking totally perplexed and lost.

And despite walking through the station I struggle to find my platform when travelling from there.

You may. Do you want percy pigs too, or maybe something from costa?

OP posts:
MiddleAgedDread · 08/10/2025 19:45

For those not familiar https://assets.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/1uMRoXXLz8Stx8eHsitrNU/13944587e79c409315ae04160b061ab9/CCS0723844574-001_Edinburgh_map_2023v6.pdf
there’s also several points of entry, all at different “ground levels” due to the hilly nature of the city.
and don’t even get me started on the escalators at Waverley steps always being out of order!

https://assets.nationalrail.co.uk/e8xgegruud3g/1uMRoXXLz8Stx8eHsitrNU/13944587e79c409315ae04160b061ab9/CCS0723844574-001_Edinburgh_map_2023v6.pdf

NearCanongate · 08/10/2025 19:45

May I offer to assist this worthy endeavour?

I walk through it most days and I see so many people looking totally perplexed and lost.

And despite walking through the station I struggle to find my platform when travelling from there.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 19:45

MiddleAgedDread · 08/10/2025 19:42

There’s a typical pattern to it…….LNER trains heading south come in on the long platforms either side of the main concourse, and also the one down the side of the waiting area building (6 maybe) if it starts from Edinburgh…..unless it’s come from Glasgow central when it’ll come in over the bridge.
trains north and west go from the dead platforms in the middle of the shops, unless they go from the ones over the bridge. Borders railway is usually one of the platforms round the back of the waiting area building or the far one.
but I agree, it’s not the most logically numbered or signed if you’re not familiar with it.

When they engage my services I will consider additional leaflets to be handed out with this supplementary advice.

Passengers will get through the gates only if they pass a multiple choice test based on the information described in it.

OP posts:
TofuEater · 08/10/2025 19:44

Aren't the platforms in numerical order in a clockwise direction? But yes,I find it baffling...

MeandBobbyMcGoo · 08/10/2025 19:43

I live just outside Edinburgh and totally get what you mean OP! The platforms are not where they are expected to be, ever!

MiddleAgedDread · 08/10/2025 19:42

There’s a typical pattern to it…….LNER trains heading south come in on the long platforms either side of the main concourse, and also the one down the side of the waiting area building (6 maybe) if it starts from Edinburgh…..unless it’s come from Glasgow central when it’ll come in over the bridge.
trains north and west go from the dead platforms in the middle of the shops, unless they go from the ones over the bridge. Borders railway is usually one of the platforms round the back of the waiting area building or the far one.
but I agree, it’s not the most logically numbered or signed if you’re not familiar with it.

Purplecatshopaholic · 08/10/2025 19:41

Lol, I totally know what you mean. Unless you are a ‘regular’, it’s not totally clear where each platform is and that’s even with signage, lol. I am now knowledgeable on the vagaries of Waverley Station having commuted for years, but it took a lot of study and hard work.

Original poster
TallOrLong · 08/10/2025 19:41

Doidontimmm · 08/10/2025 19:38

You just follow the signs??

I do. Or I think I do. But because I am not psychic I don’t know when ⬆️ means go up or when ⬆️ means go straight ahead.

There is a sign where it uses the same arrow for different platforms, some of which are up, some of which are straight on behind the escalator.

IANBU

OP posts:
noctilucentcloud · 08/10/2025 19:40

I find the platforms tucked away at the side (where the long-distance trains down to London / Southampton go from) incredibly confusing to find.

Doidontimmm · 08/10/2025 19:38

You just follow the signs??

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