Remember the roar of the crowd, the thrill of competition? That’s the legacy of Meadowbank. Meadowbank in Edinburgh is more than just a suburb. It’s a place steeped in sporting history.
Let’s take a closer look at Meadowbank. It’s located east of Edinburgh’s city center. Abbeyhill borders it to the west. To the north, you’ll find Lochend and Restalrig. Parsons Green, Jock’s Lodge, and Piershill lie to the east.
Meadowbank is best known for the Meadowbank Sports Centre. The original stadium opened in 1970. It was a multi-purpose sports facility. Edinburgh hosted the Commonwealth Games that year. Meadowbank was the main venue. The stadium closed in 2017 for redevelopment. It reopened on November 4, 2022. The new Meadowbank Sports Centre focuses on local sports and athletics. It’s a state-of-the-art facility for the community.
The area of Meadowbank expanded significantly during the Victorian era. Edinburgh grew eastwards during this time. Holyrood Park is located to the south of Meadowbank. Meadowbank Lodge, built in 1858, borders the park. It is a Category C listed building.
Meadowbank Parish Church carries the area’s name. However, it’s actually located in Abbeyhill. The church was originally named Hollyrood Abbey Church. Built in 1899, it is a Category B listed building.
On the western edge of Meadowbank lies a retail park. It was built in the early 1990s. This retail park sits on the former site of a foundry and a malt house. The malt house was seven stories high.
Meadowbank has seen changes in transportation over the years. The A1 road and East Coast Main Line railway pass through here. There used to be two train stations in Meadowbank. Sadly, these stations no longer exist. Meadowbank Stadium railway station served the stadium. It opened in 1986 for the Commonwealth Games. The station remained open until 1998.
Queen Victoria also had her own private station in Meadowbank. It was called Queen’s Station. This allowed her to travel to Holyrood Palace without going through the Old Town. The North British Railway established the station in 1850. It was used until sometime after 1881. Queen Victoria arrived at the station on August 29, 1851. A large military escort and crowds greeted her.
Duncan Shaw, a former Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, grew up in Meadowbank. He lived in a tenement flat.
Today, the new Meadowbank Sports Centre offers many facilities. These include a gym, fitness studios, and games halls. You’ll also find squash courts and 3G sports pitches. Indoor and outdoor athletics tracks are available.
Meadowbank has been at the heart of the local community for over 50 years. It hosted the Commonwealth Games twice, in 1970 and 1986. Meadowbank was the first venue to host the Games twice. The new Meadowbank Sports Centre reopened in 2022. It continues its commitment to sports, health, and wellbeing. A new Hybrid Gym called Evolve opened in October 2024. It provides training for Hyrox and other hybrid fitness competitions.
So, as you stand here in Meadowbank, remember its rich history. From Queen Victoria’s private station to the roar of the Commonwealth Games, this area has played a significant role in Edinburgh’s story.