Directions to the Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

View of the ROE

Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Blackford Hill
Edinburgh
EH9 3HJ

The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh is situated on Blackford Hill, to the south of the city, and should not be confused with the pre-1893 Royal Observatory (or City Observatory) on Calton Hill. The Royal Observatory is sign-posted from the Cameron Toll roundabout, Mayfield Road and Blackford Avenue.

Here is a map courtesy of www.streetmap.co.uk. You can use the +/- buttons at the bottom right to zoom in and out.

From Edinburgh Airport

Leave the airport and join the A8 heading for Edinburgh. Proceed along this road until you reach the Gogar roundabout. Turn right onto the A720 city bypass southbound. Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.

From the City Bypass: (by car)

Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.

From the City Centre: (by bicycle)

The Royal Observatory is a 20 minute cycle from the city centre. It is on a steep hill but many staff, students and visitors do cycle to the site. Bicycle shelters and racks, showers and changing facilities are available to visitors and staff. Please note, however, that the showers and changing facilities are not available to the general public coming to the Visitor Centre because they are located in office buildings.

Bus Routes

The area near the Royal Observatory is serviced by Lothian Buses routes numbered 41, 42, 67, 38. If you are coming from the city centre then the 41, 42 and 67 routes are perhaps the most suitable. The 38 service takes in a route from the north-west of the city.

Take a look at the information pages for each of these routes from the Lothian Buses website for more detailed information.

From Glasgow Airport

Leave the airport and travel eastbound on the M8 towards Glasgow, stay on the M8 through Glasgow and proceed along the M8 towards Edinburgh. The M8 terminates at Junction 1, Hermiston Gate. Turn right and join the A720 city bypass southbound. Leave the bypass at Straiton Junction. Follow the signs to Edinburgh South and City Centre (A701). Follow along Howdenhall Road and continue down Liberton Brae. Take a left-hand fork onto Mayfield Road. At the lights, turn left onto West Mains Road and continue until you come to the red sandstone archway at the foot of Observatory Road. Turn left and go to the top of the hill.