Interest in bouldering has exploded in the last couple of years. Without the need for someone to belay you or to learn rope tying techniques, new climbers are able to get their teeth stuck into the sport from the get go!
Couple this with mainstream attention for bouldering from films like Free Solo - bouldering has become an urban phenomenon, with Edinburgh’s climbing gyms leading the charge.
Exploding onto the scene in 2018, Eden Rock is a purpose-built bouldering gym set on an industrial estate on the southern outskirts of Edinburgh near Loanhead. Easily accessible by the bypass, Eden Rock offers huge spaces, a massive variety of walls and a gym area. They’ve also got a great kids area to help recruit Edinburgh’s world championship climbers of the future!
A spin-out from parent gym Alien Rock, Alien Bloc is its younger, newer and immensely popular bouldering gym. Strategically nestled between New town and Leith in the central north side of Edinburgh, Alien Bloc is an ideal place for beginners to start and develop a passion for bouldering. Climbing enthusiasts can enjoy overhangs, traverses and moon boards, all set to the backdrop of cool techno and a young and trendy clientele.
While Edinburgh International Climbing Arena is primarily known for its extensive rope climbing facilities, it also has a reasonable amount of bouldering. Based in the south-western perimeter of the city, Ratho has a dedicated bouldering room as well as a bouldering area on the main floor. While these are probably a bit too basic for an experienced climber, there is certainly enough bouldering to satisfy beginners.
