Edinburgh Leisure

Edinburgh plays host to a wide range of sports ranging from football, rugby and golf to the more bizarre ice sport of curling. Horse races can be watched at several locations, and facilities exist for tennis and cycling.

Spectator sports

Football is the most popular spectator sport, and matches usually involve one of the two clubs in EdinburghHibernian or Heart of Midlothian. Rugby matches can be taken in at Murrayfield, and there are several courses around town where horse races are held.

Curling is another popular sport in Edinburgh and can be seen at several indoor venues across the city. This game is played on ice and is similar to lawn bowling. The most unique aspect of curling is the way the pace of the puck is controlledby sweeping the ice. When curling made its first Olympic debut in the winter of 2002, Scotland took the gold medal.

Games

Edinburgh is home to ample facilities for those who wish to take part in sports or activities. Golf has strong ties to Edinburgh and Scotland, with at least a dozen courses near the city. The most prominent course is St Andrew's. Indoor rock climbing is a popular indoor activity that can be played during all seasons. The Midlothian Ski Centre, located in the southern sector of Edinburgh, houses Europe's largest artificial ski slope.