Murrayfield Stadium open to public for guided tours

IT is the home of Scottish rugby and as a major concert venue has played host to some of the world's top musicians.

Murrayfield Stadium Tours. A replica Calcutta Cup and memorabilia from the 1st Scotland v England game at Raeburn Place. Photograph: Neil Hanna

And now Murrayfield looks set to become famous for another reason as the stadium throws open its doors for guided tours.

Rugby bosses want to capitalise on the venue’s international reputation, putting it on the map as a tourist destination.

Matt Horler, head of media at Murrayfield, said: “The tours will share a lot of history about rugby in Scotland and will allow people to go behind the scenes and feel what it’s like to be an international player on match day.

The players tunnel and the Scotland team dressing room. Photograph: Neil Hanna

“We want to put the stadium on the tourist map as a great family day out which appeals to people of all ages.

“We have worked hard to put interactive elements into it.”

A team of guides will present a behind-the-scenes look at rarely seen parts of the stadium, including the dressing rooms.

Visitors will be able to sit in the hospitality boxes, step into the TV studio and tackle the voice of rugby in the Bill McLaren Press Gallery as they test out their commentary skills.

The players tunnel and the Scotland team dressing room. Photograph: Neil Hanna

They will also be able to see the trophy cabinets, experience a coach’s-eye view of the pitch and sprint down the tunnel to the sounds of cheering crowds.

John Donnelly, the chief executive at Marketing Edinburgh, welcomed the initiative as a boon for the city’s tourism industry.

He said: “Murrayfield has long been a huge asset to Edinburgh, with the Six Nations and other major tournaments bringing people from far and wide to the city every year, not to mention the venue’s capacity for hosting events and conferences.

“This move is a great step in putting one of our iconic venues on the map as a tourist destination as well as a rugby ground, providing a welcome boost to the city’s leisure visitor offering. The legacy left behind by last year’s Rugby World Cup down south is a great testament to the benefit of sports tourism and the economic value it can bring to a city.

“And it’s great to see Murrayfield recognising and capitalising on this opportunity.”

• Tours last 90 minutes and are available from Monday to Saturday, with extra tours soon to be available on Thursday and Friday afternoons. Tickets cost £10 for adults, £7 for students and over 60s, and £5 for the under-18s. More info: http://www.scottishrugby.org/murrayfield-stadium/tours