The Wellbeing Mile

The Holyrood checkpoint can be found to the edge of the courtyard, next to the Old Nursery School and Paterson’s Land.

This is the home of Moray House School of Education and Sport, which offers a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate taught, and postgraduate research programmes across education and sport. Also on this campus us the Centre for Open Learning, which offers a diverse range of flexible and lifelong learning opportunities including short courses, English Language Education, International Foundation Programme, Summer School, and part-time Access programme at the University of Edinburgh.

Centre for Open Learning

Holyrood Campus is home to the oldest building in the University of Edinburgh, Old Moray House. The Moray House courtyard is a few steps away from the bustling Royal Mile, providing a tranquil green space for students, staff, and visitors. Here, you can connect with others, present and past, by spending a moment enjoying the space. 

History of Moray House

This part of campus also located near the impressive Salisbury Crags. Explore and be curious about the places, people, and creatures as you walk through campus and potentially further out to Holyrood Park. You don’t have to go far to enjoy the pleasant walks around Holyrood Park.

Holyrood Park Walking Maps

The Pleasance checkpoint can be found opposite the entrance to the gym as you look back towards the road, next to the cycle store.

Stay active for your physical, mental, and overall wellbeing. From a quick workout to regular fitness classes, every movement counts.

The University offers a wide range of options to help you to be active; from group walks or introductory sports sessions with our Active Lives Team, to having the staff and facilities to support elite athletes.

Pleasance Sports Complex & Gym offers world-class fitness and sports facilities for students, staff, and the wider community. With a variety of gym spaces, sport facilities, and specialist training areas, there’s something for everyone - whether you’re keeping active for fun, fitness, or competition.

Pleasance Gym Facilities 

Get Active

Even when standing in the dense urban environment around the Pleasance, you're not far from greenspaces. Look up towards the tree canopy on the hill. Edinburgh Sport are supporting the University’s Wild Campus ambition by leading the Big Dig, a project that has planted thousands of trees on our campus since 2020 while encouraging people to be active outdoors.

Keep Active - Walking Hub

There are two signs that mark the High School Yards checkpoint. One can be found on the left hand side of main courtyard next to the raised area of greenspace and one can be found at the back of Edinburgh Climate Change Institute (ECCI).

High School Yards is home to ECCI, where the University works in partnership with researchers, communities, policy makers and businesses to tackle the climate emergency as well as the Boilerhouse which is home to the University’s Social Responsibility and Sustainability Department. This project supports our vision to become a regenerative university, which means minimising our negative environmental impacts whilst actively sequestering carbon, restoring nature, and becoming circular in our use of resources. 

The University has a goal to regenerate ecological systems across a land footprint at least five times the size of our campuses, while ecologically regenerating our own campuses, by 2040. The meadow at High School Yards was created in 2025 as part of this mission.

Regenerative sustainability at the University of Edinburgh

The Old College checkpoint can be found in the notice board if you enter Old College from South Bridge and take the archway on the right-hand side into the courtyard.

The Old College lawn provides a quiet escape from the bustling streets of the city centre. This is a beautiful place to take a moment to soak in the history and silence that this space provides. Although low in biodiversity, lawn areas provide important environmental, social, and wellbeing benefits. As we nurture our campus into nature-rich havens, imagine what this lawn could become in the future.

While considering the future of this spot, you may want to explore the heritage and artworks that are on display. You may also recognise this spot from some of your favourite films!

Old College Heritage and Values Project

The checkpoint in Bristo Square can be found on the window of the Health and Wellbeing Centre, facing towards McEwan Hall.

In Bristo Square you will find some of invaluable university support services. The University Health and Wellbeing Centre offers a wide range of services, including counselling, disability and  learning support and the Health Centre. The nearby Chaplaincy also offers quiet spaces and wellbeing activities for all University students and staff.

Counselling

Disability and learning support service

Health Centre

Chaplaincy

Through the year, Bristo Square is a hub of life. This space welcomes students, staff, and tourists – you’ll often find local skateboarders who utilise the space to stay active and improve their skills. The hum of life grows during the summer, when this space is transformed into a Fringe Festival location.

Fringe Festival at Bristo Square 

The checkpoint in George Square can be found on the central circular path within the square.

George Square sits at the heart of the city and becomes a key location for the Edinburgh Festivals each year. As you explore the gardens you might also find the labyrinth. 

Labyrinth            

If George Square is closed, there are other places nearby to discover: the nearby Meadows, or a tranquil spot quietly tucked behind Buccleuch  Place.

The library Breathing Room is also a place where you can step back and take a moment to relax surrounded by artwork and objects from the University’s heritage collections carefully chosen to evoke calm and support wellbeing.

Breathing room [add link]