Alien Rock pioneered the indoor rock climbing scene in Edinburgh. For information about the top roping and lead climbing facility that’s kept Scotland’s climbers for 20 years, read on.
| Opening hours | Mon - Fri 10am - 10pm,, Sat- Sun 10am - 7pm. |
|---|---|
| Address | Alien Rock, 8 Pier Place, Newhaven, Edinburgh, EH6 4LP |
| Is there disabled access? | Alien Rock has street-level access and the walls and changing rooms are on the ground floor. However, it does not have a lift to its small bouldering room or viewing area on upper levels. |
| Do you have to book? | Yes. Bookings for Alien Rock should be made through BookWhen. To book the Newhaven facility, make sure you click “Alien Rock” rather than “Alien Bloc” which is for the Canonmills bouldering gym. |
| Are masks compulsory? | Yes. You must wear a mask at Alien Rock unless you’re climbing a route, eating, drinking or you’re medically exempt. |
| Phone number | 0131 5527 211 |
| Parking | Alien Rock is outside of the Controlled Parking Zone, meaning that parking is free in the area. Climbers may want to park their cars on streets like Newhaven Main Street or Craighall Road. |
| Prices | £10.50 for peak times (evenings and weekends) and £9.50 for off peak times. Concessions discounts available. A monthly membership costs £60 and lasts a calendar month from the day of payment. An Alien Rock membership also gets you access to Alien Bloc. |
| Is there shoe rental? | Yes, shoe rental costs £3. |
| Can you hire equipment? | The only equipment you can hire at Alien Rock is shoes, which costs £3. However, you can buy a range of items including chalk bags, tape and Alien Rock merchandise. |
| Is there a cafe on-site? | Teas, flapjacks and chocolate bars can be bought from reception. |
| Is there changing facilities? | Yes, there’s changing rooms on the ground floor. |
| Is there a viewing area for parents and spectators? | Yes, Alien Rock has a spectator area on the first floor with chairs and windows to look onto the facility. |
| Do you need to fill out a disclaimer form/ do an induction? | You need to fill out a disclaimer form online before attending Alien Rock. As Alien Rock is a roped facility, the facility requires you to know how to belay and rope tie before signing up. If you don’t know how to work ropes, then you must do a beginners course, either at Alien Rock or another climbing gym. |
| Mat and gym facilities | No, there aren’t mat and gym facilities at Alien Rock. |
Much like the seaside neighbourhood of Newhaven that it belongs to, Alien Rock is a bit of a hidden gem. It may not have as much space as its sister climbing wall Alien Bloc or the massive facilities of Ratho, but the climbing gym makes up for it with immense character. On arrival, visitors are treated to stunning views of a church spire, sandstone walls and Newhaven harbour.
Inside, Alien Rock has the same cozy and intimate vibe which has kept climbers coming back since 1994. The staff are not only extremely friendly, they’re also all climbing enthusiasts who are happy to answer questions or chat about routes.
For beginners, Alien Rock also offers courses covering rope tying and proper climbing form. Intermediate and more advanced climbers can find a good range of short but technical routes, including overhangs, slabs and slopers.
For an authentic climbing experience in what’s bound to be your climbing instructor’s favourite climbing gym, head on down to Alien Rock.
Alien Rock has put in place a variety of measures to ensure the safety of climbers and their staff. Foremost, to control capacity Alien Rock has a booking system. You must book your climb in advance using the BookWhen booking system. (Remember to click “Rock” not “Bloc”, as Alien Bloc is a different gym.) Secondly, like most indoor public places in Scotland, you must wear a mask unless you are:
Alien Rock provides hand sanitiser for climbers to use on entry and staff carry out regular cleaning of the wall and shared communal areas.
Climbers are urged not to come to the wall if they’ve been told to isolate by NHS Test and Protect or are showing any symptoms of Covid-19.
Lothian Number 10 towards Western Harbour: get on outside Boots on Princes Street.
Lothian Number 11 towards Ocean Terminal: get on at the Dome on George Street.
Lothian Number 16 towards Silverknowes: get on at Assembly Rooms on George Street.
There’s no direct buses to Alien Rock from Dalry, but you can get one quite easily from Polwarth. Walk over to Polwarth Gardens and catch the Lothian Number 10 towards Western Harbour (bus stop outside John Ker court).
Lothian number 7 towards Newhaven: get on at St Patrick Square.
Lothian number 14 towards Muirhouse: get on at Surgeons’ Hall. Get off where Craighall Road meets Ferry Road and walk 10 minutes from here.
If you live in Marchmont or Newington you could also take any of the city centre buses.
Lothian number 7 towards Newhaven: Get on at the Kirkgate centre.
Lothian number 10 towards Great Western Harbour: get on opposite Tesco Express, Great Junction Street.
Lothian number 11 towards Ocean Terminal: get on at Redbraes place.
Lothian Number 26 towards Silverknoewes: get on at the Shore.