You are on Route Overview (Pollock Halls to Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow (via George Square)). Skip to the next section.

Route Overview (Pollock Halls to Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow (via George Square))

• The start point for this guide is Pollock Halls of Residence.
• The end point for this guide is Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow.
• The average walking time between the start and end points is 26 minutes.
• This guide covers Holyrood Park Road, Dalkeith Road, St Leonard's Street, East Crosscauseway, Nicolson Street, West Nicolson Street, Chapel Street, Crichton Street, Charles Street and Bristo Square.
• Points of interest in this area include: Royal Commonwealth Pool, The University of Edinburgh Visitor Centre, McEwan Hall and Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow.
• Public transport facilities near the end point include: a bus stop.
• There is a taxi rank outside the Pollock Halls Reception Centre at the starting point.
  The route is approximately 1.2 miles in length, and there is heavy pedestrian traffic along Nicolson Street, and from Charles Street until the end of the route at Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow.

You are on Related Access Guides. Skip to the next section.

Related Access Guides

• View information on Pollock Halls Reception Centre (opens new tab) .
• View information on John McIntyre Conference Centre (JMCC) (opens new tab) .
• View information on Chancellor's Court (opens new tab) .
• View information on John Burnett House (opens new tab) .
• View information on The Scholar Hotel (opens new tab) .
• View information on The Scott Hotel (opens new tab) .
• View information on St Leonard's Hall (opens new tab) .
• View information on Dugald Stewart Building (opens new tab) .
• View information on Teviot Row House (opens new tab) .
• View information on McEwan Hall (opens new tab) .
• View information about Edinburgh Students' Union Association (EUSA), Potterrow.

You are on Starting Point (Pollock Halls of Residence). Skip to the next section.

Starting Point (Pollock Halls of Residence)

• Pollock Halls of Residence is The University of Edinburgh's main catered student halls complex, located in the St Leonard's area of the city. It incorporates several residential halls, a central conference centre (John McIntyre Conference Centre), which also houses the main refectory, as well as the university-operated Scholar Hotel and Scott Hotel.
• There is a taxi rank outside the reception centre, as well as standard and Blue Badge parking, and EV charging points on site - please see the University of Edinburgh parking webpages for more details.

You are on Pollock Halls to Holyrood Park Road. Skip to the next section.

Pollock Halls to Holyrood Park Road

• This section heads west out of the Pollock Halls Site onto Holyrood Park Road, covering a distance of approximately 100 metres.
• From the main path leading out from the centre of the site (from the front of Chancellor's Court and the John McIntyre Conference Centre), cross the access road leading to car park 2. There is a zebra crossing over this access road, with a flush kerb that has tactile paving on the near side and a dropped kerb with a slight ramp that also has tactile paving on the far side. The road itself has a smooth tarmac surface. Then go straight ahead along the pavement until you reach Holyrood Park Road.
• There is step-free access along this section of the route, with a slight uphill slope beyond the access road crossing that later becomes a slight downhill slope as you approach Holyrood Park Road.
• Turn left and cross the access road into the Pollock Halls site. There is an unmarked crossing point here with a central island refuge. There are dropped kerbs with very steep gradients on either side of the access road, both of which have tactile paving. The central island refuge does not have tactile paving and is flush with the road surface. Traffic along the access road is light. There are uneven surfaces on and near the dropped kerbs either side of the access road, and the access road itself has a very uneven tarmac surface.
• Finally, continue along Holyrood Park Road until you reach the pelican crossing.
• Pavements throughout this section are comprised of even concrete paving slabs.

You are on Crossing Point - Holyrood Park Road. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Holyrood Park Road

• There is a staggered pelican crossing over Holyrood Park Road.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is moderate and approaches from the right before the central refuge and the left after the central refuge.
• The pelican crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing does not have an audible alarm or rotating cones.
• The portion of the crossing before the central refuge has dropped kerbs with tactile paving on the near side and far side, both of which have a slight gradient. The portion of the crossing after the central refuge has dropped kerbs with tactile paving on the near side and far side, with the near side having a slight gradient and the far side having a steep gradient.
• The road has a smooth and even tarmac surface.
• After crossing the road, turn left.

You are on Holyrood Park Road to Dalkeith Road. Skip to the next section.

Holyrood Park Road to Dalkeith Road

• This section heads southwest along Holyrood Park Road towards Dalkeith Road, covering a distance of approximately 130 metres.
• Go straight ahead, alongside the frontage of the former Scottish Widows offices, until you reach the junction with Dalkeith Road.
• There is step-free level access along this section of the route (with very slight slopes in places), and the pavement is comprised of even concrete paving slabs.
• There is one crossing point over the access road into the former Scottish Widows offices. There is a dropped kerb with a slight ramp and tactile paving on the near side, and a dropped kerb with a steep ramp and tactile paving on the far side. The crossing point has a central refuge with tactile paving that is flush with the road surface.
• The road surface consists of very rough, worn and uneven tarmac.
• There are a few street trees along this section of the route, but they are situated within alcoves off of the main footway.
• As you approach Dalkeith Road, the pavement curves to the right. Continue along it, ignoring any crossing points over the road.

You are on Dalkeith Road to Parkside Terrace. Skip to the next section.

Dalkeith Road to Parkside Terrace

• This section heads northwest along Dalkeith Road towards Parkside Terrace, covering a distance of approximately 130 metres.
• Go straight ahead, alongside the frontage of the former Scottish Widows offices, until you reach Parkside Terrace.
• There is step-free level access (with very slight slopes in places) along this section of the route, and the pavement is comprised of even concrete paving slabs.
• There is tactile paving on the pavement by a pelican crossing over Dalkeith Road, opposite East Preston Street. Ignore this and continue straight ahead.
• There are street lights and traffic lights along the pavement which may cause an obstruction.

You are on Crossing Point - Parkside Terrace. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Parkside Terrace

• There is an unmarked pedestrian crossing over Parkside Terrace.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is light and approaches from both directions.
• There are dropped kerbs with no tactile paving on either side of the crossing, with the dropped kerb on the near side having a slight gradient and the dropped kerb on the far side having a steep gradient. The dropped kerb on the near side has a very uneven surface, with cracked concrete paving slabs. The road itself has a smooth tarmac surface.

You are on Dalkeith Road to St Leonard's Street. Skip to the next section.

Dalkeith Road to St Leonard's Street

• This section heads northwest along Dalkeith Road, from Parkside Terrace to where it becomes St Leonard's Street, covering a distance of approximately 85 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a rough tarmac surface, with a very slight downhill gradient until you reach the bus stop outside St Margaret's and St Leonard's Roman Catholic Church, following which it becomes slight.
• There are street lights and a bus stop along the pavement which may cause an obstruction. At the time of survey (March 2025), there were also temporary roadwork signs partially obstructing the pavement.

You are on St Leonard's Street to Parkside Street. Skip to the next section.

St Leonard's Street to Parkside Street

• This section heads northwest along St Leonard's Street, from Dalkeith Road to Parkside Street, covering a distance of approximately 150 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a surface comprised of stone paving slabs and tarmac, which is slightly uneven in places. There is a slight downhill gradient along the majority of the section, which levels out to very slight and eventually becomes level in the last few metres before you reach Parkside Street.
• There are street lights, street signs, bollards, trees and a bus stop along the pavement which may cause an obstruction. At the time of survey (March 2025), there were also temporary roadwork signs partially obstructing the pavement.
• There is one access road to cross, just after the Dalkeith Road Medical Practice. There is a dropped kerb with a slight ramp on the near side, and a dropped kerb with a steep ramp on the far side; neither of which have any tactile paving. The surface of this access road is comprised of smooth tarmac.
• There is a small public streetside garden with some benches midway along this section.

You are on Crossing Point - Parkside Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Parkside Street

• There is an unmarked pedestrian crossing over Parkside Street.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is light and approaches from both directions.
• There are flush kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, and the road has a smooth tarmac surface.
• Immediately after crossing the road, you then cross a cycle lane, which also has flush kerbs with tactile paving on either side, and a smooth tarmac surface.

You are on St Leonard's Street to St Leonard's Lane. Skip to the next section.

St Leonard's Street to St Leonard's Lane

• This section heads northwest along St Leonard's Street, from Parkside Street to St Leonard's Lane, covering a distance of approximately 100 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement, which runs alongside a cycle lane.
• The pavement has a smooth tarmac surface, with a very slight downhill gradient.
• There is a small area of tactile paving on the pavement by a puffin crossing over St Leonard's Street, near to the start of the section. Ignore this crossing and continue straight ahead.
• There are road signs, a traffic light and telecoms cabinets along the pavement which may cause obstructions.
• There is one access road to cross midway along the section, which has flush kerbs with tactile paving on both sides. The access road has a smooth tarmac surface.

You are on Crossing Point - St Leonard's Lane. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - St Leonard's Lane

• There is an unmarked pedestrian crossing over St Leonard's Lane.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is light and approaches from both directions.
• There are flush kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, and the road has a smooth tarmac surface.

You are on Crossing Point - St Leonard's Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - St Leonard's Street

• Immediately after crossing St Leonard's Lane, turn left and cross St Leonard's Street via the toucan crossing.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is moderate and approaches from both directions.
• The toucan crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing also has an audible alarm and rotating cones.
• There is a dropped kerb with a slight ramp and tactile paving on the near side of the crossing, followed by a flush kerb with tactile paving on the far side of the crossing.
• The road has a smooth tarmac surface.
• After the crossing, turn right.

You are on Crossing Point - Rankeillor Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Rankeillor Street

• There is an unmarked pedestrian crossing over Rankeillor Street.
• Before reaching the road, you first cross a cycle lane, which has a flush kerb with tactile paving on the near side, followed by more tactile paving with a slight uphill gradient on the far side. After this, you immediately cross Rankeillor Street, which has a flush kerb with tactile paving on the far side.
• The traffic on both the cycle lane and road at this crossing is light and approaches from both directions.
• There is a smooth tarmac surface on each.

You are on St Leonard's Street to East Crosscauseway. Skip to the next section.

St Leonard's Street to East Crosscauseway

• This section heads northwest along St Leonard's Street, from the crossing point at Rankeillor Street to East Crosscauseway, covering a distance of approximately 130 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a level tarmac surface; however it is very worn and uneven in places.
• There is one access road to cross - Hamilton's Folly Mews. This has flush kerbs with tactile paving on both sides, while the road itself has a very uneven cobbled surface.
• There are street lights and a bus stop along the pavement which may cause an obstruction.
• Turn left onto East Crosscauseway.

You are on East Crosscauseway to New John's Place. Skip to the next section.

East Crosscauseway to New John's Place

• This section heads west along East Crosscauseway, from St Leonard's Street to New John's Place, covering a distance of approximately 30 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a smooth tarmac surface, with a very slight uphill gradient.
• There is a street sign along this section which may pose an obstruction.

You are on Crossing Point - New John's Place. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - New John's Place

• There is an unmarked pedestrian crossing over New John's Place.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is light and approaches from both directions.
• There are flush kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, and the road has a smooth tarmac surface. The flush kerbs both slope down very slightly into the roadway.

You are on New John's Place to Cowan's Close. Skip to the next section.

New John's Place to Cowan's Close

• This section heads west along East Crosscauseway, from New John's Place to Cowan's Close, covering a distance of approximately 65 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a smooth tarmac surface, with a very slight uphill gradient.
• There is a street sign and bollards along this section which may pose obstructions.

You are on Crossing Point - Cowan's Close. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Cowan's Close

• There is an unmarked pedestrian crossing over Cowan's Close.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is light and approaches from both directions.
• There are flush kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, and the road has a smooth tarmac surface.

You are on Cowan's Close to St Patrick Street. Skip to the next section.

Cowan's Close to St Patrick Street

• This section heads west along East Crosscauseway, from Cowan's Close to St Patrick Street, covering a distance of approximately 50 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a smooth tarmac surface, with a very slight uphill gradient.
• There are low railings, waste bins and a telecoms cabinet at the end of this section which may pose an obstruction. The presence of these narrows the width of the pavement to a minimum of 109cm.
• As you emerge onto St Patrick Street, turn right.

You are on St Patrick Street to West Richmond Street. Skip to the next section.

St Patrick Street to West Richmond Street

• This section heads north along Nicolson Street, from St Patrick Street to the traffic lights at West Richmond Street, covering a distance of approximately 150 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a surface comprised of concrete paving slabs, which is slightly uneven in places. It has a very slight slope, heading uphill.
• There are traffic lights, street lights, traffic signs, bicycle racks, litter bins, goods for sale outside shops and pavement seating areas outside eateries which all pose potential obstructions.
• This section of the route is busy, with heavy pedestrian footfall.

You are on Crossing Point - Nicolson Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Nicolson Street

• Turn left and cross Nicolson Street via the pelican crossing, just before you reach West Richmond Street.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is heavy and approaches from both directions.
• The pelican crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing also has an audible alarm and rotating cones.
• There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, both of which have a slight gradient.
• The road has a smooth tarmac surface.
• After crossing the road, turn right and immediately cross West Nicolson Street.

You are on Crossing Point - West Nicolson Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - West Nicolson Street

• Cross West Nicolson Street via the pelican crossing.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is moderate and approaches from both directions.
• The pelican crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing also has an audible alarm and rotating cones.
• There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, both of which have a slight gradient.
• The road has a smooth tarmac surface.
• After crossing the road, turn left along West Nicolson Street.

You are on Nicolson Street to Chapel Street. Skip to the next section.

Nicolson Street to Chapel Street

• This section heads southwest along the length of West Nicolson Street, from Nicolson Street to Chapel Street, covering a distance of approximately 120 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a surface comprised of smooth and even concrete paving slabs, with a very slight uphill gradient.
• There are traffic signs along this section of the route which may cause an obstruction.
• There is one access road to cross, which has dropped kerbs on either side with slight slopes and no tactile paving.

You are on Chapel Street. Skip to the next section.

Chapel Street

• This section heads north along Chapel Street, from West Nicolson Street to the crossing point, covering a distance of approximately 20 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a smooth, level surface comprised of concrete paving slabs.
• There is a traffic light and a street sign with attached cycle rack along the pavement which may cause an obstruction. The latter narrows the pavement to a minimum width of 140cm.

You are on Crossing Point - Chapel Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Chapel Street

• Turn left and cross Chapel Street via the puffin crossing.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is moderate and approaches from both directions.
• The puffin crossing has a visual indicator for when it is safe to cross, activated by a push button. The crossing also has an audible alarm and rotating cones.
• There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, both of which have a steep gradient.
• The road has a smooth tarmac surface.
• After crossing the road, turn right.

You are on Crossing Point - Crichton Street. Skip to the next section.

Crossing Point - Crichton Street

• There is an unmarked pedestrian crossing over Crichton Street.
• The approach from the previous crossing over Chapel Street is even, with a surface comprised of stone paving slabs. There is a very slight uphill gradient, along with bicycle racks and a street lamp, which may cause obstructions along this section.
• The traffic on the road at this crossing is light and approaches from both directions.
• There are dropped kerbs with tactile paving on either side of the crossing, with the near side dropped kerb having a steep gradient and the far side dropped kerb having a slight gradient.
• The road itself has a smooth tarmac surface.
• After crossing the road, turn left.

You are on Crichton Street to Charles Street. Skip to the next section.

Crichton Street to Charles Street

• This section heads west along Crichton Street, from Chapel Street to Charles Street, covering a distance of approximately 75 metres.
• Go straight ahead along the pavement.
• The pavement has a smooth, even surface comprised of concrete paving slabs, with a very slight uphill gradient. There is some bench seating along this section of the route, as well as parking meters and bicycle racks which may cause an obstruction.
• Turn right onto Charles Street.

You are on Charles Street to Bristo Square. Skip to the next section.

Charles Street to Bristo Square

• This section heads north along Charles Street, from Crichton Street and George Square out into Bristo Square, covering a distance of approximately 90 metres.
• Go straight ahead along Charles Street
• The footway has a smooth and even surface comprised of stone paving slabs, with a very slight uphill gradient. There is also some smooth and even block paving towards the end of this section.
• There are bicycle racks, street lights, signage boards and litter bins along this section of the route, which may cause obstructions.
• At the time of survey (March 2025), construction works were taking place on nearby buildings, with the effect of narrowing the footway due to site hoardings.
• There is likely to be heavy pedestrian footfall along this section during university term time.

You are on Bristo Square to Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow. Skip to the next section.

Bristo Square to Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow

• This section heads north through Bristo Square, from the end of Charles Street to Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow, covering a distance of approximately 80 metres.
• Go straight ahead through Bristo Square, keeping alongside the buildings on your right.
• This portion of the route has a smooth and even surface comprised of concrete and stone paving slabs, with a slight uphill gradient.
• There is bench seating available along this portion of the route.
• Potential obstructions include litter bins and ground-mounted maps/directional signage boards, and the area is likely to be busy with heavy pedestrian footfall.

You are on Finishing Point (Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow). Skip to the next section.

Finishing Point (Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow)

• Edinburgh University Students' Association, Potterrow is the main student hub for the Central Campus. It plays host to a wide range of events and EUSA services, and is centrally located off Bristo Square, close to numerous other university buildings.