What to do for 8 hours while DD at Murrayfield?

[VintageThoughts]

Hi Sottish MNers

My DD and her friend are going to Murrayfield next Saturday to watch Harry Styles. I'll be dropping them off at about 2pm, (trying to) park up somewhere then won't be collecting them until about 10.30 ish. It's a four hour drive home so I've got to hang around.

Any ideas of things I could do while I wait? I'm fit and healthy so happy to walk a few miles and so far, the weather looks ok. Was wondering about walking into Edinburgh itself or hoping there might be some nice gardens or parks I could wander round. I'll have to eat by myself so any recommendations for friendly restaurants/cafes would be really appreciated!

Thank you!

You're not too far away from Stockbridge - lots to do/see there. Great shops, cafes etc, close to Botanic Gardens and art Gallery's (Modern Art gallery's x 2)

You could also walk or jump on bus up to the New St James quarter of big brand names re your thing.

I would aim to park in stockbridge. You'll have to pay for a bit of your time (parking restrictions vary but usually stop at 5.30/6.30ish) but should be a few options

Tram into the city centre? There is a park and ride a couple of stops from Murrayfield towards the airport.

Murrayfield is very near the zoo, if you fancy that.

Otherwise I’d get a tram or bus into the centre tbh

Walking the Water of Leith from Slateford up to the Botanics would pass 4-5 hours with stops in Dean Village and Stockbridge. Lots of parks and sculptures on the way. You could start the walk at Murray field but not sure about parking

You're really handy for the city centre from Murrayfield. You could walk to the Modern Art Gallery at Ravelston in the afternoon then you could walk in to town for some shopping and get dinner, for the evening there are cinemas in the west end nearest Murrayfield (Cameo at Tollcross or Odeon on Lothian Road). What kind of food/vibe do you like? there is so much choice but some places might be pretty busy/noisy/crowded on a sat evening.

Tram into the centre, check out bookshops and cafe surf ;)

These are all great ideas thank you so much.

Just spent my lunch hour googling Stockbridge and it looks beautiful. Will definitely make a trip there.

Thank you everyone!

you could park round Carrington Road, East Fettes Avenue area (it's free on Saturdays) and then walk through Inverleith park and the botanic gardens, exit on the Canonmills side of the gardens (east gate) and then walk along the water of leith path to Stockbridge where there's some nice cafes, decent charity shops and some nice gift shop type places. Hector's pub in Stockbridge is very chilled and the sort of place you could probably eat dinner alone without feeling out of place and The Raeburn is nice too. There might be a cricket match on at The Grange club if that's of interest (you can get a pint in the clubhouse and sit on their terrace without being a club member).
Also make sure you walk down Circus Lane and photobomb all the tourists taking their shots for instagram ;)
You could go to the cinema at the Omni centre or St James centre later if the timings work for picking them up.
I would arrange a meeting point with your daughter and get them to walk to meet you somewhere on the Ravelston side or around the west end because there will be road closures in place along the A8 and a lot of other parents no doubt doing the same thing!

These are the road closures (applies to the Sir Harry gig too) All the Edinburgh road closures ahead of Beyonce's Murrayfield concert - Edinburgh Live

@Coronationstation

This is so helpful thank you. That sounds right up my street.

I'm studying at the moment so at some point I will go back to the car and get a couple of hours in. This sounds like a really lovely way to spend the afternoon/early evening though.

Also had no idea about the road closures so that's extremely helpful.

Thank you so much.

Have to be honest, I'm a bit out of my comfort zone - my ex was supposed to be coming with me - so having a plan is helping to relieve my anxiety!

If you’re in that area and don’t want to sit in the car to study you could drive up to the village hotel which has a Starbucks and plenty of seating in the main entrance area. You can park for free for 4 hours.

Thank you @Coronationstation, you've been a massive help! ☺️

And I think the Starbucks will be very useful for keeping me awake for the drive home!

I've had to stay over in Edinburgh recently for work. There are some nice pools. The Commonwealth pool and this one https://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/venues/glenogle-swim-centre