Murrayfield Ice Rink

Picture Murrayfield Ice Rink in front of you. It’s a classic example of art deco architecture. It’s a little boxy, but there’s something about the proportions that makes it charming. This rink was designed by architects J B Dunn and G L Martin. They were ambitious, they wanted it to be the most modern ice rink in Scotland. The rink was nearly finished when WWII began. The government requisitioned it as a storage depot. The rink remained in government control until 1952. They had high hopes for exhibitions by skaters Freddie Tomlins and Daphne Walker.
After thirteen years, the building finally opened as an ice rink. It was one of the first ice rinks in Britain. The original purpose of the building was for ice skating and ice hockey.
The rink has hosted a lot of events. It was a popular venue for professional ice hockey in the 1980s. Tony Hand, the first ever British player to be drafted by the NHL in North America, played here as a junior. The building was also used as a venue at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
For a time, it was the home to the Murrayfield Racers ice hockey team. Since 2022, it’s been the home of the Edinburgh Capitals. The history of Murrayfield Ice Rink is a great example of a building that has changed its purpose over time. It’s a symbol for the history of ice hockey and ice skating in Edinburgh.