EDI-Spot1
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September 17, 2016Edinburgh Airport – Spotting Guide
- last modified on May 11, 2024
Edinburgh Airport (IATA: EDI, ICAO: EGPH) is located at Ingliston in the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is the busiest airport in Scotland and welcomed over 14.7 million passengers in 2019. It was also the sixth busiest airport in the UK by total passengers in 2019. London is by far the most frequent route with up to 53 flights a day.
Ryanair, Easyjet and Jet2 are the biggest players in EDI besides europes common schedule airlines. Intercontinental traffic takes place by Etihad, Qatar, Air Canada Rouge, American, Delta and United Airlines. There is also a cargo ramp at the eastern corner of the airport with regular flights.
Written by Peter Adams and Martin Rogosz. Last update: May 2024.
| Rating | |
| Movements |  |
| Airline Variety | |
| Photo Locations | |
| Weather |  |
| Airport Information | |
| Runways | |
| 06/24 | 2.556 m (8.386 ft) |
| Terminals | One for all operations |
| Spotting Information | |
| Ladder | Not required as you can shot through the fence at all spots. Smaller lense diameter is recommend. |
| Car/Public Transport | Car is recommend for spots 5-6. All other are reachable by public transport or from the terminal by foot. |
| Restrooms | On Terminal side there are free toilets. Also spots 1&2 there is a hotel |
| Drinks/Food | Terminal side you have some restaurants. Otherwise bring with you what you need. |
| Hotels | There are a few hotels within the terminal area |
| Season | We suggest April – September, chance of bad weather in winter is pretty high. Also every 2 years in March the Rugby is on so the airport gets lots of charters flights for this event. August is also another good month because of the Military Tattoo und Fringe Festival but beware prices are higher. |
| Runway Usage | |
| 06/24 | 24 is the one used most time |
| 12/30 | no longer in use |
 |
Spot#1 – The Mound – 06 arrivals and lineup |
|---|---|
| WHERE | The spot is at the “Ingliston Markets” car park on a mound at the end of RWY06. From the main road A8 to Edinburgh City just turn left into the car park. There is a mound where you can climb up and shot over the fence easily. From the Terminal walk to the Holiday Inn Express and continue this road to the parking. By bus services 24/25/38 , Citylink services 900/909 and Lothian services X17/X18 – all from Edinburgh city centre. Leave the bus at Ratho Station and cross A8 via the footbridge. Bridge itself is a good vantage point for 06 arrivals. From the bridge, it is a short walk (approx 0.5 km) to the earth mound |
| WHAT | 06 Lineups and landings only. Heat haze can be a problem for aircrafts on the runway |
| TIME | From sunrise until afternoon |
| MISC. | There are events taking place on this area so it can get quite busy. There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 18-300 mm depending on motive |
 |
Spot#2 – P3 Holiday Parking – 01/19 overview & 07R/25L overview & taxishots |
|---|---|
| WHERE | This spot is right in the Ingilston marcket showground 5 minutes walk from the spot #1. You have to shot trough the fence here. By bus services 24/25/38 , Citylink services 900/909 and Lothian services X17/X18 – all from Edinburgh city centre. Leave the bus at Ratho Station and cross A8 via the footbridge. Bridge itself is a good vantage point for 06 arrivals. From the bridge, it is a short walk (approx 0.5 km) to the earth mound |
| WHAT | 24 departures runway 24 turnoffs and all rwy06 movements. For early rotations on 24 dep. just stand back from the fence. |
| TIME | Depending on the side Morning untill 1500 Pm for takeoffs and for sideon morning till sunset |
| MISC. | There is a hotel nearby with toilets and drinks ect also parking here is free if theres a event on then say your in to watch the planes then they let you in most people park next to the link. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70 – 200 mm |
 |
Spot#3 – Carpark – Ramps and taxiways |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the terminal building cross the road and take the elevator to the top level of the parking garage. |
| WHAT | Ryanair, easyjet and flybe planes taxing to there gate also planes vacating 06. Also this spot gives views over to cargo and block 30 next spot so registrations could be read. |
| TIME | From 1030 untill sunset |
| MISC. | There are toilets and food drink placed in the terminal. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300 mm depending on motive |
 |
Spot#4 – Western Ramp |
|---|---|
| WHERE | When leaving the terminal just walk to the right until you have left the tower on your left side and you can see the ramp on your right. If your using a car, you have to use a regular parking. Do not park onto or next to the road. |
| WHAT | Static and moving aircraft in and out of this ramp. You have to shoot through the fence |
| TIMEF | Depending of the angle, from From around 08:00 until 18:00hrs. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, bring with you what you need. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | Depending of the angle/spot and aircraft typ. From around 70-150mm. |
 |
Spot#5 – Lennybridge |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From the main road to Edinburgh until you see a big roundabout follow the signs for the cargo apron from there. Its about 2 miles. Pass the golf course and drive until almost the end of the road until you see the perimeter. Than turn right and drive to the railroad bridge. Park at the houses next to it. |
| WHAT | 24 arrivals only |
| TIMEF | From 08:00 till 15:00 hrs |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you also this spot. ATTENTION a few years ago a friend got jumped here so take care. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300 mm depending on motive |
 |
Spot#6 – runway 24 lineups PM |
|---|---|
| WHERE | From spot 5 walk over the bridge take the 1st track on your left hand side follow under the landing lights then follow it to your left go under the bridge and you see the fence on your left hand side. Follow the track along the perimter to the photo position. You have to shot trough the fence for the departures. |
| WHAT | All Runway 24 movements. |
| TIME | 16:30 till sunset in the summer only. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need with you also the track gets erroded so strong footware is advised gets very wet slippy after rain. |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-300 mm depending on motive |
 |
Spot#7 – Almondbank |
|---|---|
| WHERE | Drive to the nearest village, Kirklisting, less than a mile north of the 06 threshhold. When you get to Kirklisting take the road that goes east. Pass the supermarcket to your right and just follow the main road until the Carlowrie Castle from where the crash gate can be seen. Park at the gate but don´t block it. Walk left along the perimeter until you reach another crash gate. There you are. You can shot trough the fence or use the mound next to it.
By public transport: Get a train to Edinburgh Gateway and walk to the Gyle Centre (about 10 min), or Get the tram Directly to Gyle Centre. Take Lothian Bus 63 to Kirkilston Station Road and then walk along the main street and continue to the airport access gate Walk is approx 20 mins to the emergency gate north side of the airport. Road runs more or less parallel to the runway. |
| WHAT | All runway movements |
| TIME | 16:30 till sunset in the summer only. |
| MISC. | There is nothing nearby, so take what you need also the track gets overgrown in summer so strong footware is advised |
| FOCAL LENGTH | 70-200 mm depending on motive |
Thank for a great website.
I spent about 5 hours on top of the parking garage at Edinburgh Turnhouse. After a couple of hours I was approached by a couple of police officers, they said they had received a report from the tower. They just wanted to make sure I wasn’t a protester and Inshowed hen the content of my bag and that Indisnt have a banner and then they let me be. They did say that if the tower requested that I be removed In would have to go.
But a very friendly interaction and the officers said they were satisfied with my explanations.
Just an update for public transport.
Bus service 63 to Kirkliston is now operated by First. Also, access to Lennymuir is also possible by bus. First service 68 runs hourly from South Gyle shopping centre and, stops at the cargo terminal
How to get to Spot #7 by public transport:
Get a train to Edinburgh Gateway and walk to the Gyle Centre (about 10 min), or Get the tram Directly to Gyle Centre
Take Lothian Bus 63 to Kirkilston Station Road and then walk along the main street and continue to the airport access gate (About a 20 min walk in total from the bus stop according to Apple maps)
Alternative Busses:
First Midland bus X38 from Edinburgh Waverly / Haymarket station to Kirkilston Crossroads
First West Lothian bus 600 from Edinburgh Airport to Kirkilston Crossroads.
Thanks for the update Ed!
-Julian
Don’t know if something has changed but went to spot 2 just now and someone has put up all the barriers and bollards so you can’t drive in. The hire car companies must have passes to raise and lower the barriers but I couldn’t get through
If, like me, you don’t drive or have a car, Spot #1 & 7 are accessible by public transport. Spot #7, First service 38 from Edinburgh to Falkirk / Stirling runs every 15 minutes daytime & half hourly evenings/Sundays. Leave the bus at Kirkliston crossroads and walk approx 15 – 20 mins to the emergency gate north side of the airport. Road runs more or less parallel to the runway. Spot # 1 can be accessed using First services 24/25/38 , Citylink services 900/909 and Lothian services X17/X18 – all from Edinburgh city centre. Leave the bus at Ratho Station and cross A8 via the footbridge. Bridge itself is a good vantage point for 06 arrivals. From the bridge, it is a short walk (approx 0.5 km) to the earth mound
Hi Allan, I have added your infos for the public transport usage at Edinburgh and Glasgow. Thanks a lot!
-Julian