Magic Weekend 'Up North' : Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:37 am
Less than nine weeks till the Magic Weekend. As a Scottish Saints fan who is looking forward to seeing seven Super League games without having to go to England, I would like to pass on some information you won't find on the 'official' sites.
Those of you who have been before (and we won't say too much abouit the last time Saints played at Murrayfield!) will be aware of what the capital has to offer. No other city in the world has one side of its main street (Princes Street) occupied by a vast park overlooked by an ancient castle atop a rock. This will be a great gathering point for all the fans of all of the clubs. But the situation in the centre of the city is somewhat distorted by the construction of a tram system (or tram line as some say) and Princes Street is, and will be for some time into the future, closed to traffic for this purpose. Unfortunately at present there is an on-going dispute with the contractor and, although the closure was effective from last Monday, 23rd Feb, no work has yet been carried out. The innitial timescale was for the road to be re-opened in November, but if this dispute is not resolved, it could be longer; or, alternatively, if the entire programme is scrapped, it could open sooner, but whatever the outcome, it will almost certainly still be closed to traffic for the Magic Weekend. However, do not let this situation affect your plans to visit the capital. There are alternative routes if you are travelling by car, but if you choose to come by train there will be no problem whatsoever. The stadium is within walking distance of Princes street; there are buses which pass the stadium, and trains go from Waverley Station (right on Princes Street) to Haymarket, about a five or six minute journey, which is only a stone's throw from Murrayfield. There is a vast green area around the stadium where, I believe, there will be a supporters' village.
If you decide to come up nearer the time and have difficulty in getting fixed up with accommodation, don't worry. You will be able to stay in Glasgow, where there is a large variety of accommodation in the city centre and there is a 15 minute train service from Queen Street station, in the heart of the city. (The trains run less frequently on Sundays). It is only about 50 minutes to Haymarket. If travelling by train from Glasgow, you will pass Murrayfield (which is right beside the railway) just before reaching Haymarket, where you can alight if you do not want to go right into the centre of Edinburgh.
Hope this is of some help. If the weather gods smile on us it will be one fantastic weekend. I hope to be at Knowsley Road about two weeks after Murrayfield when things are back to normal (it is a very pleasant experience, staying at the Griffin and feeding the Pilkington Ducks on the way to KR, hope you all get as much pleasure from the Magic Wreekend). I look forward to meeting some Saints fans over the two days and, of course, am keeping everything crossed that we beat the pies! Come up and enjoy yourselves.
