George Watson’s Playing Fields, Myreside

Beneath the wide Edinburgh sky, George Watson’s Playing Fields at Myreside stretch out before us. A quiet space now, but imagine the roar of the crowd, the thud of boots on turf. George Watson’s Playing Fields have been the home of Watsonians Rugby Club since 1933. That first match against Royal High School FP must have been a spectacle. The new grounds, fresh and ready for action, replacing the old Myreside pitch named after a local farm. Can you picture the players, eager to test the new turf? George Watson’s Playing Fields have seen more than just school games though. This very ground hosted professional rugby matches. Edinburgh Rugby called Myreside home in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Even later, in 2017 and 2018, they returned. Temporary stands sprung up, boosting the capacity to nearly 14,000. The energy here must have been electric. Think of the Pro12, even European Rugby Challenge Cup matches played right here. The history of George Watson’s Playing Fields isn’t just about rugby. A footbridge, an unusual steel arch structure, was built in 2000. Designed to help schoolchildren cross Myreside Road safely, it’s a quirky addition to the landscape. Now, new plans are in the works. Two artificial pitches are proposed. Imagine the change, the vibrant green of synthetic turf replacing the traditional grass. George Watson’s Playing Fields continue to evolve, a place where sport and history intertwine.