Raeburn Place Sports Ground & Stadium

Raeburn Place Sportsground is an integral part of Edinburgh’s sporting history, spanning the boundary between the popular neighbourhoods of Stockbridge and Comely Bank. As home of the first ever international rugby match, held between England and Scotland in 1871, Raeburn Place has a strong sporting heritage and a long association with Stockbridge and The Edinburgh Academical Football Club (EAFC), the oldest rugby club in Scotland. The facilities for the club had, however, become outdated and were demolished in the mid 2000’s to make way for a new, purpose-built club.

Unfortunately, the proposals fell through due to the economic crash of 2008, and the club was left with temporary facilities housed in sub-standard portacabin accommodation.

The project resurfaced in 2012 but the brief had new aims, with the Edinburgh Academicals requiring a development that would be self-financing and that would also support the club’s activities and expand its involvement and support of the surrounding community. The ultimate aim of the project, therefore, was to create a sporting venue of excellence with supporting leisure facilities, shell retail units and high-quality public space.

Consultation with the surrounding communities was an integral part of the planning submission. The Raeburn Place Foundation was created to focus on the development’s aim to be a sporting community asset that would provide, enhance and secure the provision of sport in and for the community, whilst also raising the profile of the Edinburgh Academicals within Club Rugby. A museum of rugby was also integral to the proposals.

Following a thorough design and consultation process, initial proposals submitted for planning included new spectator stands, clubhouse with facilities for members, players & spectators and associated commercial, business and retail uses.

Although planning had been achieved for the full development, it was decided to proceed with construction in a phased approach, with the aim of getting the commercial units operational in order to support the club during further phases. Phase 1 occupied the southern edge of the site and was opened for use to the club in the middle of 2021

Phase 1 of the Raeburn Place Development provides a dynamic and iconic new home for the Edinburgh Accies. It cleverly responds to the brief of a dual-purpose facility, creating a new retail and public environment to the street edge whilst also providing a new stadium and rugby club. The stadium is placed to the northern edge, addressing the playing fields and Inverleith Park with its contemporary take on stadium architecture, its horizontality blending into the cityscape. The flexible building is designed to grow with the club, support the local community and youth rugby, and promotes the EAFC within premier rugby.