Climbing at Edinburgh's EICA Ratho

Whether you’re a complete beginner looking to try something new, or an experienced mountaineer honing your skill set before your next climbing trip, indoor climbing is a fantastic activity that is equally fun and challenging.

Hosting Europe’s largest indoor climbing arena, Edinburgh’s International Climbing Arena (EICA) in Ratho is built into quarry walls and boasts dozens of lead rope walls, an aerial assault course, and a number of bouldering spaces.

What’s in this post

Do I have to be an experienced climber?
I’m a solo climber, can I still use the facilities?
Do they have rental equipment?

Memberships
How to get here

Do I have to be an experienced climber?

To use the facilities at Ratho, the short answer is no, you don’t have to have previous experience. However, the Ratho climbing arena is unsupervised, which means you will either have to take one of their courses to register as a competent climber, or be signed in by an existing competent climber who is willing to supervise you.

If you’re only looking to boulder, and not wanting to do any top-rope or lead climbing, Ratho hosts a separate bouldering room from the arena. See more info about their bouldering facilities here.

* If you’re under the age of 18, or are looking for information to climb with your child, see more information about Ratho’s sessions for under 8’s, 8-12, and 13-17 age groups here. *

If you have no experience but would like to give climbing a go, Ratho offers fantastic courses in-house. The one we took last Autumn (and absolutely recommend) is their Start Up Individual course.

It’s a 2 hour no-experience necessary class, and helps you learn the skills to be unsupervised on top rope walls (including equipment, knot-tying, belaying your partner, catching falls etc.), how to climb using the auto-belays, and best practice with bouldering. All in all, it’s a great place to start. As of early 2023, it was £57.50 per adult.

Once you’ve completed the course and have been signed off by a member of EICA staff, you’ll then be registered as a competent climber and can climb unsupervised in the future.

Have a friend who’s competent and a member?

If you have a friend who is listed as a competent and registered climber at EICA, they are allowed to bring a maximum of two guests to climb under their supervision. Visit reception to fill out a guest form and pay the standard day rate (more on rates and memberships below).

If you’re already an experienced and competent climber, you can register with EICA either online or in person. They classify a competent climber by someone who “is competent in the use of a safety harness, a suitable knot to attach a rope to the harness and a belay device to secure a falling climber or lower a climber from the wall using a rope. You are required to register to say that you know how to use the equipment, that you are prepared to abide by the Rules below and that you understand the risks involved in your participation. Anyone who has not registered is classed as a novice and must not climb without supervision” - from EICA’s registration.

If you’ve registered online, be aware that before your first session the centre will check in and give you a small test of competency to ensure your safety.

For experienced climbers, Ratho hosts 62 lines for lead climbing. If you’ve started on top-rope walls and are looking to build your skillset, Ratho also runs courses for ‘Improvers Stage’ courses and ‘Advanced Stage’ courses if you’re looking to lead. See the adults section here for more info.

I’m a solo climber, can I still use the facilities? 

There are two great options for climbers flying solo at Ratho; using the auto-belays or bouldering.

If it’s top-rope climbing you’re after, stick to the auto-belays. There are usually between 5-10 set up throughout the centre and offer a good variety and typically change the routes up every few weeks.

If it’s bouldering you’re after, check out their dedicated bouldering room or come into the arena to use their arena boulders or other climbing training facilities (such as their campus boards, finger boards or 45° Degree Training Board).

If you’re not familiar with auto-belays, they essentially operate like a seatbelt. Without a human belayer, the climber attaches the auto-belay to their harness and begins to climb. The rope automatically feeds into the top and once you’re done the climb (or if you fall), the auto-belay will catch you and slowly lower you to the ground. *Even if you’re just sticking to the auto-belays, you will still have to show competency to climb*

Do they have rental equipment? 

The ‘belay device’ you can hire comes with a carabiner and an ATC. If you rent one from Ratho, it’ll be the only item that they ask for a ‘deposit’ for - leave either your card, license or keys at the hut and exchange them once you’re done climbing.

Ratho rents out climbing shoes, harnesses, helmets and belay devices for a day rate. You can request and pay for the rentals at registration and collect them once you head down to the arena.

For beginners, know that all of the gear you’ll need to start out with can be rented at Ratho, and they’ll go over what the gear is and how to use it in their Adult Start Up Course.

As of 2023, prices (taken from their equipment hire) are:

Adult Harness: £3.10
Adult Shoes: £3.10
Adult Helmet: £3.10
Belay device: £1.05

Junior Harness: £2.10
Junior Shoes: £2.10
Junior Helmet: £2.10

Memberships

EICA is a part of Edinburgh Leisure, which is a membership program that offers access to dozens of health and fitness venues across the city including swim centres, gyms, golf courses, tennis courts, sports complexes, and EICA Ratho.

If you’re hoping to climb regularly at Ratho, you’d register through Edinburgh Leisure, and select the Climb Membership (which would give you unlimited access to Ratho) for a monthly membership fee or an annual membership fee. Consider expanding your membership to include other Edinburgh Leisure venues if you’re hoping to cross-train, see all of their options here.

If you’re only wanting to just drop in every now and again, or don’t want to commit to a membership, you can either pay the “non-card holder” day rate and pay as you go. If you are paying as you go, consider purchasing a discount card (which can be bought for about £30 and is valid for a year), which gives you the discounted day rate and can pay for itself if you go often enough.

How to get here

There are a few ways to get to Ratho, the most convenient is by driving or cycling via the Union Canal.

The Union Canal is a great option for those on foot or bicycle, as the path intersects with EICA at Ratho.

Driving

Driving is the most straightforward and convenient way to arrive here if you own a vehicle, and the car park is large and free to use. Ratho lies southwest of the Edinburgh Airport and is most accessible (from the city centre) via the bypass.

Follow maps to: South Platt Hill, Newbridge EH28 8AA

Cycling

The Union Canal intersects with the EICA at Ratho which makes it easy to access from the city centre by bike or on foot. Join up with the Union Canal wherever is most convenient for you in the city and follow it west. There are bike racks once you arrive to secure your bicycle.

Public Transport

Unfortunately, using the bus/ tram lines is not the most convenient option as the closest you’ll get to EICA is 2.3 miles away on Station Rd or North Street in Ratho.

If you do rely on public transport, consider bringing your bike to cycle the rest of the way from Ratho village to the arena or lace up your sneakers.

The last option if you don’t drive is to meet other climbers within the Edinburgh region who want to use the facilities at EICA and organise a carpool.

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Climbing is an adventure sport that can take you to some of the world’s most stunning destinations, and indoor climbing can be a great way to introduce yourself to the sport, hone in your skillset, and build strength and stamina for your upcoming adventures.

Happy Travels,
Sam

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